Lipp relies on Boss' assessment for Oaks

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Rex Lipp is hoping a post-race discussion with long-time friend Glen Boss will help decide whether Tycoon Evie continues her quest for Group 1 glory after The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.

Lipp has turned to the three-time Melbourne Cup winning rider to replace Mark Du Plessis in the 2000 metre Group 2 feature.

Du Plessis has been Tycoon Evie’s regular rider and was aboard in three of the filly’s four wins in 11 starts so far. 

Lipp and Boss (pictured) struck Group 1 success together when Star Shiraz won the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm, when it was a Group 1 race in 2004.

Tycoon Evie missed a place for the first time in her career when tenth to the Chris Waller-trained Grace And Harmony in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet over 1800 metres on May 8.

“The Oaks is still the plan with Tycoon Evie but plans can come undone,” Lipp said.

“She had no hope when she was caught on the fence which was the worst part of the track last run.

“She was completely bogged down.”

Lipp knows what it takes to win the Queensland Oaks having won it with Tinto in 2014.

Tycoon Evie is not bred to stay and is a sister to former star sprinter Winning Rupert but Lipp feels she has the right constitution to defy her pedigree lines.

Boss formed a strong partnership with Lipp when he was a star apprentice based at the Gold Coast before eventually heading interstate and overseas.

“Glen did a lot of riding for me when he was at the Gold Coast many years ago so I will be relying on his advice after the race about running in the Oaks,” Lipp said.

“At this stage that’s the way she’s headed and I was happy with her run in the Bracelet when she wasn’t suited on the wet track.

“She’s been working well since and she looks great and Glen will be able to tell me whether she’ll run an Oaks trip after he rides her.”

In latest TAB markets, Tycoon Evie is a $9 chance in The Roses and a $25 hope for the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 5.

Queensland trained horses have won The Roses only five times since it was first run in 1996.

Queenstown Kate was successful for Kelso Wood in 1997, followed by Noel Doyle’s win with Palidamah in 2002, before Bruce McLachlan won with Natural Woman in 2004 and Bryan Guy with Lasoron in 2007.

Southern raiders dominated the race for the next 12 years before Vanna Girl claimed victory for the training partnership of Toby and Trent Edmonds last year.