Cifrado will be looking to make it three consecutive wins in Group company when he lines up in the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Last time out, the Rex Lipp-trained Encryption colt took out the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes over the 1400m at Eagle Farm in a tight 0.4-length victory over Snapback.
Cifrado’s connections will be hoping for less drama from this race after a protest from sixth-placed finisher Make A Call was brought against him last start.
That challenge was dismissed, thus rewarding the barnstorming run from hoop Thornton.
2023 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes replay
Winner: Cifrado
A win on Saturday would make it four wins and three placings from eight career starts while also cracking the $1 million prizemoney mark.
Toowoomba-based Lipp said he is confident in the future of his colt, especially given his current form.
“He’s a colt that is on the way up and I think he will be a very good three-year-old,” Lipp said.
Cifrado is paying $7 with the top online bookmakers, with Tannhauser – sired by Dundeel and trained by Chris Waller – favourite in JJ Atkins betting markets at $4.60.
Snapback ($10) returns for redemption after the short defeat along with the Waller-trained Chrysoar ($12), who was seen filling third on that occasion.
Paul Snowden was happy with the performance and said he knew what his horse brought ahead of the key juvenile race during the Brisbane carnival.
“Snapback was extremely good last start, he is a great talent in his own right,” Snowden said.
“He has got a nice turn of foot and there’s an element of class about him.”
Cifrado will get a little further distance to work with at Eagle Farm this weekend, stepping up to 1600m for the first time in the $1 million feature.
He will work from barrier seven, delivering a handy path if it opens throughout the trip, with Damien Thornton retaining the ride.
Snapback will be readied by the Snowdens as they tilt for a second-straight JJ Atkins, after taking last year’s edition with Sheza Belter.
The Snitzel colt has drawn barrier 10 for Saturday but has proven he can work from the wide gate to put him in contention.
2023 JJ Atkins final field
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