Rex Lipp eyes Ipswich success with El Pensador
Nine races and close to 10 months have passed without a win for El Pensador, but his trainer Rex Lipp anticipates a breakthrough at Monday's Ipswich fixture.
This So You Think gelding seeks to follow up an encouraging fresh run in the second-last affair, namely the Seven News BM68 Handicap at 1350 metres.
Resuming with third spot over 1400m at Eagle Farm on April 8, the five-year-old registered his first podium finish post his July success at Ipswich, assuring Lipp of his excellent form.
"Last preparation I just had a few few little niggling things from after he came up from Melbourne," Lipp said.
"It took a while to sort him out, but he seems to be back on track now."
Lipp has guided El Pensador to all three of his career triumphs across 20 starts, succeeding the two poor showings under Tony and Calvin McEvoy in Victoria.
Lipp intends to stretch the horse to 1800m down the line but holds no worries over the initial 50m drop in distance.
"I wanted to give him another run over the 1350 before I step him up to the mile," he said.
"He's going to run a mile, even 1800 this horse, but I just want to get him right."
From Victoria too comes Lipp's other contender Arcelia, entering her sophomore run for the Toowoomba mentor in race two, the Great Northern Maiden Handicap over 1200m.
After three efforts with Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the Japanese mare impressed with third over 1100m at Gatton on April 10 for her stable introduction, lifting Lipp's spirits.
"It's taken a while to get her right, get her balanced and get her going," Lipp said.
"She went to Melbourne, so we've had to get her going the other way, but I give her a good chance if everything pans out OK in the run."
Claiming apprentice Corey Sutherland, off 1.5kg, steers Arcelia from post eight, as Angela Jones pilots El Pensador out of stall 13, adjusting to 12 if no emergencies enter the field of 16.
Discover top online bookmakers offering keen betting markets for the race featuring El Pensador at Ipswich.
More Racing News
Demerzel's Class Shines Through at Canterbury
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have a history of success with fillies at Canterbury's mid-June race meetings, and on Wednesday, they introduced another promising youngster who appears destined for greater achievements.Demerzel secured her maiden victory at her second career start in the $60,000 event contested over 1250 metres. This marked...
Caitlin Hollowood celebrates first metro win at Caulfield Heath
Apprentice jockey Caitlin Hollowood has achieved a career milestone with Prestige Forever's victory at Caulfield Heath.Hollowood, who had previously accumulated 33 wins on country and provincial tracks in Victoria and New South Wales, notched her first metropolitan winner when the Julius Sandhu-trained Prestige Forever captured the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1500m)...
New York Lustre's racing days numbered before stud duties
Trainer Enver Jusufovic has indicated that New York Lustre's racing career is nearing its conclusion, with only a handful of starts remaining before she transitions to the breeding paddocks.Her next engagement is set for Saturday in the Brian Beattie Handicap, a 1100-metre race at Flemington.The mare is then scheduled to...
Four-pronged attack from Bjorn Baker for Civic Stakes
Trainer Bjorn Baker, though absent from Royal Randwick this Saturday, is set to deploy a strong contingent for the Listed Civic Stakes, a 1400-metre feature race.Baker has been occupied with stable star sprinter Overpass at Royal Ascot, where the horse ran a valiant third in the Group 1 King Charles...
Silver Wedding targets Stakes win at Ipswich races
Racing and travel have combined to bring out the best in Silver Wedding, who is now aiming to add a Stakes race victory to her resume.The Ciaron Maher-trained mare, a winner of four from thirteen starts, is set to contest the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich this Saturday.Silver...
Mission Central on The Everest Radar After Royal Ascot Group 1 Victory
A stellar performance in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot has put Mission Central firmly in Coolmore's sights for a potential start in The Everest, completing a significant achievement for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.The Irish sprinter, a 14/1 chance, delivered an outstanding performance...
Shocking 50-1 win for Ten Bob Tony in the Queen Anne Stakes
It has been since 1950 that a horse priced longer than Ten Bob Tony has won the Queen Anne Stakes.The 50-1 outsider stunned competitors in the opening contest of Royal Ascot in 2026, with the five-year-old gelding benefiting from a ten-day back-up, his chestnut coat shining brightly under the brilliant...
Regal Zeus set for Eye Liner Stakes as McArdle eyes Group 1 targets
Mornington-based trainer John McArdle is already charting a course for a Group 1 campaign early in the season, with Queensland playing a key role in his plans.The gelding Regal Zeus is heading to Ipswich for the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) on Saturday, which is slated as the initial of...
The Western Front seeks more staying honours
The Lindsay Park training operation, managed by Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, is anticipating a fruitful outcome with their in-form stayer at Flemington.The Western Front is slated to compete in a 2500m handicap this Saturday, aiming to build on his consistent recent performances.This galloper, originally from New Zealand, was...
Pride's Poison Chalice eyes Civic Stakes success
Joseph Pride, a trainer known for elevating tried horses, is now guiding the talented gelding Poison Chalice.The six-year-old Savabeel progeny was formerly trained by Paul Preusker in Horsham, with his last run being a tenth-place finish in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m).While Poison Chalice has not yet won beyond benchmark...