A strong start will be the key focus for Cifrado when he takes his spot in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
He began awkwardly last start from gate six in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben, improving only slightly to sit ninth with 400m left to travel.
However, jockey Damien Thornton showed that tenacity and ability that has seen him win two Group 1 races and earn $33.5 million in prize money at only 27 years of age, popping the question of his mount.
Finding a passage through the pack, Cifrado would drive through between the lead pair of Appin Girl and Armed Forces to take the win on the line.
This Saturday, the Rex Lipp-trained colt will jump from barrier five in an attempt to make it three wins from four starts this prep.
“He’s a colt that’s on the way up, I think he’s going to be a very, very good horse as a three-year-old,” Lipp said following his last start.
“His run the other day over 1000m was extraordinary. He had to go back from the bad barrier and he made up a lot of ground and was hitting the line.
“I actually thought the horse could win today.”
2023 Spirit Of Boom Classic replay
Winner: Cifrado
The $1 million feature for two-year-olds has drawn a quality field that includes Chris Waller-trained pair Chrysaor and Armed Forces as well as Mishani Gangster from the Les Ross yard.
Mishani Gangster has two wins and two placings from five career starts, and that all started with a three-length win at Sunshine Coast last November.
“Hopefully he races well,” Ross said.
“We can’t get him any fitter and we just hope he can run the 1400m trip.”
The field also includes Felix The Scat — a son of Mendelssohn who won the UAE Derby (2018) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf as a two-year-old, showing the bloodline’s great juvenile ability.
Trainer Will Hulbert is confident in his chances and admits he is still yet to peak.
“He’s well and the barrier is perfect for once (8), the only other time he’s drawn nicely he won easily,” Hulbert said.
That win was his only one to date from five starts, coming by 4.2 lengths at Doomben over the same 1400m trip he will travel on Saturday.
“He won a jump out on Tuesday against older horses so that was pleasing,” Hulbert said.
“These races with big money on the line are always tough and it looks to be a pretty even field.
“We will know a lot more after Saturday and whoever gets the most luck in running probably comes out on top.
“Hoping he looks the winner halfway down the straight and can hold on, but he’s not quite wound right up yet.
“He still has got some improvement left in him for the grand final in a fortnight.”
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