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The new training partnership of Rex Lipp and Nick Hahn is hopeful of snaring its first piece of silverware with live chances in three Stakes races at Doomben on Saturday.
Lipp has been one of Toowoomba's top trainers spanning more than three decades, but in the twilight of his career decided to join forces with Hahn - a well-known local racing identity - in a training partnership.
The pair has trained five winners since joining forces about two months ago and notched up its first city win with Tycoon Evie at Eagle Farm last month.
Tycoon Evie is one of five acceptors from the stable and will be out to boost her broodmare value in the Listed Eureka Stud Classic over 1200 metres.
The stable also has high hopes with Simply Fly in the Group 3 George Moore over 1200 metres and Baristasista in the Listed Mode Stakes, also over 1200 metres.
Tycoon Evie has never raced on a heavy track but Lipp is hopeful of good drying conditions to see an upgrade to soft.
The four-year-old mare returned to form winning a Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on November 6 at her second start back from a failed Queensland Oaks campaign last winter.
"She's out of a Show a Heart mare so they normally handle heavy tracks and she has placed a couple of times on slow tracks," Lipp said.
"She's right in this race and she'll back-up next week in the Just Now Stakes."
Unlike Tycoon Evie, Simply Fly is unbeaten in two starts on heavy tracks and is coming off a last start fifth to Tambo's Mate in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes at Doomben on November 13.
The son of Sprit Of Boom failed to fire in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and Group 3 Fred Best at Eagle Farm in the winter but still has an impressive record with six wins from 15 starts.
"We don't know yet how the track will be tomorrow but Doomben is a good drying track so it could come back to a Soft 6 if there's no rain," Lipp said.
"His last run was okay but he was ridden too close to the speed and I want him ridden a lot quieter this time.
"It's a tough race but he's a definite lightweight chance and he'll also back-up next week in The Gateway."
The winner of The Gateway over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm automatically qualifies for next year's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Lipp also expects another strong performance from Baristasista in the Mode Stakes.
"She's improving all the time and didn't have a tough run when she won at Ipswich last week but she's got to prove she can back-up," he said.
