Trainer Rex Lipp believes Dual Chamber can finally shed her tag as a “non-winner” in the Listed Just Now Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Lipp feels the criticism of the five-year-old mare has been unwarranted and would love to see the daughter of Show A Heart end her 16-start losing streak since her last win in the Listed Bright Shadow Handicap (1200m) at Doomben in April last year.
Despite her lack of recent success, Dual Chamber has earned almost $300,000 in prizemoney from three wins and six placings in 26 starts.
Dual Chamber won two of her races early in her career for previous trainer Maryann Thexton before being transferred to Lipp at the start of 2010.
“She had been very temperamental right throughout her career and plays up on the way to the barrier,” Lipp said.
“But she hasn’t done it for a while and we think we’ve got her right now.”
Lipp was delighted with Dual Chamber’s comeback last start when a fast-finishing fourth to Zero Rock in the Listed Travel Associates Classic (1200) at Eagle Farm on December 3.
“I thought her run was terrific and I just hope she’s come back right this time,” he said.
“But you’ve got to remember she’s a five-year-old now and this will probably be her last season before going to the breeding barn.
“You’ve got to take her each day and hope she’s right. If she behaves she’ll run well.”
Lipp feels Dual Chamber’s pattern of racing and bad alleys are to blame for her lack of success.
“I think it’s a bit harsh to say she’s a non-winner,” Lipp said.
“She might have only won three times but she’s run some good races and finished close up on numerous occasions.
“A lot of her problem has been bad alleys and it’s hard for any horse to win in top company the way she races by getting back and coming home.”
Rival trainer Trevor Whittington is using the Just Now Quality (1300m) as a stepping stone to the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast on January 14 with Femina Fashion.
Femina Fashion hasn’t raced for six weeks since finishing with the tailenders, 18 lengths from the winner Vintedge, in the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 5.
At her previous appearance the five-year-old finished a close fourth to Foxstar in the Tab Sportsbet Handicap (1700m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
“Forget her last Melbourne run. She went down on her nose at the start and the jockey almost lost his iron,” Whittington said.
“She didn’t handle the Melbourne direction and got on the wrong leg, even in her good run on Melbourne Cup day.”
Whittington believes Femina Fashion will find the 1300 metres of the Just Now Quality too short.
“I think she’ll need this run and will find it too short. She’ll race well but I’m aiming her for the Stayers Cup,” he said.
AAP TURF
