Lipp chasing more QTIS Jewel glory

By Glenn Davis

It could be a red-letter day for veteran Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Group 1-winning conditioner has talented two-year-year-old Esperanza entered for the QTIS Jewel Prelude over 1000 metres and stablemate Crypto Miss in the 3YO QTIS Jewel Prelude over the same trip.

Lipp hopes to deploy both for the Finals of the $500,000 QTIS Jewel features at the Gold Coast on March 14.

Lipp already has a 3YO QTIS Jewel Final trophy in his cabinet room courtesy of Simply Fly’s last-to-first win in the 2021 edition at the Gold Coast.

Esperanza produced a dazzling display to win by half-a-length on debut over 1110 metres at Doomben on February 7.

The daughter of Spirit Of Boom is a full sister to Simply Fly and will be ridden by Martin Harley who is replacing Emily Lang who was successful in her debut win.

Lang has forfeited the ride as she is required for the Tony Gollan-trained first starter Night Market who is raced by a large syndicate including Lang’s mother, Tammy.

Esperanza and Simply Fly are out of mare Express Air who won the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm in 2009.

“I thought her win was very impressive on debut,” Lipp said of Esperanza.

“I think she’s a very handy horse, but she’s got a long way to go yet to be compared to my best two-year-old Star Shiraz who won a (Group 2) Sires' Produce.

“She’s done well since her win and they’ll know she’s in the race again.”

Lipp has no set plans for Esperanza and will be guided by her Eagle Farm performance before confirming a start in the QTIS Jewel Final.

The Queensland Racing Carnival also is in the back of Lipp’s mind.

Lipp believes Crypto Miss is still learning her craft but expects a strong showing from the daughter of Encryption.

She broke through for her first win in six starts in maiden company at Eagle Farm on January 28.

“She’s still learning to be a racehorse but she’s goes okay,” Lipp said.

“It’s one step at a time with her but she’s got a lot of upside to cone.

“If she goes well and comes through her next few races then she might go to the winter carnival.”