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Co-trainer Rex Lipp won’t have a runner in two of the three Stakes races at Ipswich on Saturday but he’s still hopeful of claiming some belated winter carnival spoils with Tycoon Evie in the $150,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic.
Lipp won the previous version of the Gai Waterhouse Classic with Au Chocolat in 2005 while former flyer Quick Response won the Eye Liner Stakes in 1994.
He's yet to train an Ipswich Cup winner but went close with Director's Special who finished second to I Reign Supreme in the 2000 edition which was marred by a horrific eight horse fall.
"I won the Eye Liner with Quick Response who ran 1 min 09.1 seconds which was a time that stood for years," Lipp said.
"I've never won an Ipswich Cup but Director's Special ran second in the year eight horses fell."
Tycoon Evie, below winning at Eagle Farm in November, produced an eye-catching performance last start when a flashing sixth, beaten just over two lengths, by the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Najmaty in the Listed Coughlan Stakes over 1200 meres at Eagle Farm last month.
Najmaty franked the form by finishing second in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Lipp, who now trains in partnership with Nicholas Hahn, has had limited opportunities during the TAB Queensland Racing Carnival this year, but is hoping for a strong performance from Tycoon Evie who has drawn well in barrier five.
"She went into her last run a bit underdone as she never had a barrier trial or a jump out," Lipp said.
'I was very pleased with her run and she's come on since then.
"My only concern is how she handles the Ipswich track as she's a big striding mare."
In latest TAB markets, Tycoon Evie had firmed from $11.00 into $9.00 behind $4.60 favourite Juan Diva from the Richard and Will Freedman stable in Sydney.
Tycoon Evie is a full sister to former star sprinter Winning Rupert who won the Group 2 Champagne Classic in 2016 and Listed Gold Edition Stakes and Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate before injury ended his career.
Lipp (pictured) said the siblings were cut from different cloth and he had tried Tycoon Evie as stayer last year when she was aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
However, Lipp later aborted her Oaks mission after Tycoon Evie was found wanting when she flopped in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000 metres last winter.
