Rex Lipp expresses disappointment with Eye Liner ride, changes jockey for Cifrado

Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp was notably unhappy with the steer his star galloper Cifrado received in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich last start, leading to a jockey switch for this Saturday's Listed Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast.

Lipp articulated his dissatisfaction with jockey Boris Thornton's ride at Ipswich, detailing how Cifrado was held up on multiple occasions and crossed the line with reserves after being significantly checked near the 100-metre mark.

Ben Thompson will take the reins for the five-year-old gelding on Saturday. Lipp declared that the Group 2 BRC Sires winner is in the best form of his career.

"He's got over his problems he had last preparation," Lipp said. "I don't think the horse has looked better for twelve months – I think he's going as good as I've ever had him."

Lipp added about the previous ride, "He (Thornton) knows, he's ridden the horse before and you don't go looking for runs on him unless you can drive a bus through because he winds up, he's not a stop-start horse as you can see from his two previous runs. But anyway, we'll put that down as 'don't let it happen again'."

Cifrado's journey commenced with a 900m debut at Gold Coast as a two-year-old. He subsequently triumphed in both the Sprit Of Boom Classic and the BRC Sires at Group 2 level, with further stakes victories achieved at three, four, and five years of age. Although Lipp harbours a desire for a third Group 1 win, he is currently focused on selecting suitable races for Cifrado.

"If I can find the right race later on I'll take him South (to Sydney)," Lipp stated. "He ran fifth in The Hunter at Newcastle beaten a length and a half and had a chequered run but anyway, that's the story of Cifrado, he should've won. Anyway, he worked nice and strong on the bit on the course proper Tuesday morning at Toowoomba and I'm very happy with him ahead of Saturday."

Cifrado was one of 36 horses nominated for the 1400m Glasshouse Handicap this Saturday. He was listed as the second favourite in the all-in markets at $6, behind Bjorn Baker's Midnight Dynamite, who is also entered for the Winter Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Check out the latest racing betting markets for all the upcoming races.