Even with a last-minute protest lodged from the Peter & Paul Snowden barn, it was Cifrado that got the verdict in the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Farm.
The Rex Lipp-trained colt was provided the saloon passage by jockey Damien Thornton, holding off the late challenge of Snapback who was brave after being cast wide throughout the journey.
The drama came post-race, however, with a messy finish involving the stablemate of Snapback – Make A Call finding significant interference on the inside of the eventual winner.
This left steward’s dissecting the footage for a 6th vs 1st protest, but this was quickly thrown out by the committee, as they dismissed the protest.
This son of Encryption is putting together an impressive record now with three wins from his seven starts, and now leaves connections with an important decision as to whether they press on to the Group 1 J.J. Atkins over 1600m.
2023 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Replay – Cifrado
Trainer Rex Lipp spoke post-race and kept his cards close to his chest regarding the JJ Atkins, however, was bullish about his horse’s ability moving forward.
“He’s been crying out for this sort of distance all the time,” said Lipp.
“It was a big effort the other day. He finished the race off strongly like he did today.
“He’s a colt that every time I step him out he improves all the time. We haven’t seen the best of him yet. I do believe we’ve got more to go yet.
“He’s a real colt, especially when you go to saddle him. Up until then he’s an angel. That’s what you want to see, a bit of fight in the dog and he’s got it.
“There’s no pressure from the owner (heading to the JJ Atkins), it is what I decide in the next week.”
Damien Thornton spoke about his mount’s ability to switch-off, almost to his detriment today, however, when giving the instructions was able to put his rivals to the sword.
“He just fell asleep and couldn’t wake him up in the barriers so I thought it is what it is now,” said Thornton.
“They went pretty quick for the first 400 metres of the race. Probably suited me where I was. It wasn’t the ‘A’ spot but we just take our medicine where we were.
“Thankfully I was behind the right horses when things opened up. Everyone was tired but he was taking it.
“Credit to him.”
Cifrado is now the equal favourite at $7 with online bookmakers for the J.J. Atkins on June 10.
More horse racing news
