Toowoomba’s premier race day would not be the same without local trainer Rex Lipp having a top chance in a feature race.
Lipp has twice won Toowoomba’s feature sprint, the Weetwood (1200m), and has been successful four times in the Toowoomba Cup (2100m).
He doesn’t have a runner in either race this year but does have one of the leading fancies in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m), In His Stride.
Lipp has always had a big opinion of the two-year-old who goes to Saturday’s race as the winner of a maiden at Doomben on April 22.
“I have no doubt he is up to the better horses. But he came back a little bit big and I decided to drop him back to the midweeks,” Lipp said.
“The run did him the world of good.”
In His Stride is by Group winner Rothesay and was the first season sire’s fourth individual winner for the season.
Rothesay will also be represented in the Dalrello by the Liam Birchley-trained Havasay.
A $70,000 yearling, Havasay finished third on debut at Doomben last month.
“He didn’t jump well but ran on very well behind two smart horses in Secret Saga and Redsson at his first start and will be improved,” Birchley said.
The race will also feature the second start for expensive colt Red Knot.
By Redoute’s Choice out of Hades, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Red Knot topped the 2014 Gold Coast Magic Millions sale at $1 million.
Red Knot has had one start for a fourth at Hawkesbury last month.
