Simply Fly favouritism surprises Lipp

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Rex Lipp is surprised talented sprinter Simply Fly has been installed an early favourite for his comeback run in the Class 6 Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

In latest Queensland TAB markets, Simply Fly has been well supported and is a $3.90 favourite ahead of the Tony Gollan-trained Le Palmier at $4.80.

“I am a little surprised he’s the favourite,” said Lipp, who co-trains with Nicholas Hahn in Toowoomba.

“He’ll run well and has a good first-up record but the conditions up here at Toowoomba with the recent rain hasn’t been ideal for him in the week leading up to this race.”

Simply Fly has won two of his three starts first-up and finished second on the other occasion.

Simply Fly hasn’t started since finishing sixth to the Lindsay Gough-trained Dr Why Not when beaten just over three lengths at Doomben in January.

“He’s had a few jump outs and a barrier trial to get ready for this but I’m a little worried his lead-up hasn’t been ideal this week,” Lipp said.

“He’s also drawn barrier one which isn’t ideal for him as he gets back in his races.”

Simply Fly strung four successive wins together including the 3YO QTIS Jewel between January and March last year ahead of an indifferent TAB Queensland Racing Carnival campaign.

However, his winter plans were disrupted after dislodging rider Stephanie Thornton in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Doomben 12 months ago.

He subsequently missed placings in both the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Doomben in May before being turned out for the remainder of the winter.

“He’s a good horse and won those four races in a row but he didn’t have the right campaign for last year’s winter as he didn’t spell long enough between campaigns,” Lipp said.

Lipp is yet to decide Simply Fly’s winter program this year and will be guided by his performances in his next few starts.

“I’ve got nothing mapped out for him just yet as I want to see how he races tomorrow,” he said.

“His next run will be in the (Listed) Ascot Handicap in two weeks and then we’ll decide where to go with him.”

Lipp has named Le Palmier as the main threat to Simply Fly, whose mother Express Air won the Group 2 Queensland Guineas on a heavy track at Eagle Farm in 2009.

Le Palmier has the benefit of one run since making his return to racing with a last start third to NSW sprinter Remlaps Gem in a 900-metre Open sprint at the Gold Coast on March 19.