King of the Mountain lures local star

By Jordan Gerrans

In a coup for the 2025 King of the Mountain at Toowoomba, local boom galloper Cifrado will contest the third edition of the Darling Downs feature race.

With multiple Group-level victories already under his belt, he presents to the $750,000 event with arguably one of the strongest resumes yet to run in the race.

Alongside previous winners Yellow Brick (2022) and Rothfire (2024), Rex Lipp’s smart sprinter brings star power to the race this year, which will be held on Friday, March 28 and coincides with the Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Show holiday.

The locally-prepared galloper will race in the slot of Paul Reedy who was instrumental in setting up the KOTM concept a few years ago.

Reedy is not alone in his slot this year as he has partnered with David Meara, Toowoomba trainer Stephen Matthews and Bahram training and spelling centre owner Ivan Price.

The team are thrilled to have a horse of Cifrado’s quality represent their slot later this month.

“He proves himself to be competitive in every race he is in,” Reedy said.

“He is one of our local hometown heroes. To have him in our hometown feature race and in our slot, we are very excited.

“Rex is looking forward to getting to the race and it is so great to see him support our feature race again.”

Reedy is also on the board of the Toowoomba Turf Club.

Cifrado has started 23 times in his career for five wins, and nine minor placings, including the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben and the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm in 2023.

Cifrado also won the 2023 Vo Rogue Plate, when it was run at Doomben.

The four-year-old’s latest black-type win came in the recent Listed Lough Neagh Stakes before the son of Encryption was placed in The Buffering in late December and was placed again on Magic Millions day in the QTIS race.

With Kyle Wilson-Taylor in the saddle, Cifrado trialled well at Clifford Park on Tuesday of this week as he prepares for his winter campaign.

“Along with Rothfire and Yellow Brick, I think he is certainly the standout for the King of the Mountain so far,” Reedy said.

“Particularly being here on his hometown track, he is used to training here up that hill.

“That hill has brought a lot of visitors undone in the past and Cifrado, while he has not raced here, he certainly gallops here every day.

“He will be keen to go around and we are very confident with him.”

Simply Fly from the Lipp stable ran in the first KOTM but finished last.

The Reedy-led slot have had some success in the two editions of the KOTM.

They presented with grand Rockhampton galloper Master Jamie last year and placed third behind Rothfire.

In 2022, Niccanova was their selection who did not figure in the finish.

The KOTM will serve as the ideal lead up to the Queensland Racing Carnival’s feature sprint races, commencing with the Group 2 Victory Stakes on May 3.

The race will have added incentive for Sunshine State participants, with a $50,000 QTIS sales voucher on offer for horses registered under the scheme.

The KOTM card will also include the $125,000 Pat O’Shea Plate for two-year-olds, as well as the $100,000 King of the Mountain Consolation.