A 50-year friendship between Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp and Eureka Stud principal Scott McAlpine was crowned at Eagle Farm on Saturday when gritty filly Tinto won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
In a stirring finish, jockey Tim Bell capped the biggest day of his career when Tinto downed Arabian Gold by 1-1/2 lengths.
Sister Souss was a further half length away third.
Tinto’s victory was the first by a Queensland-trained filly since Mon Mekki in 2002
Bell, who earlier won the Group 2 Queensland Guineas aboard Sir Moments, celebrated high in the saddle as he crossed the line on Tinto for his first Group 1.
And for Lipp and McAlpine the moment could not have been sweeter.
McAlpine was a nine-year-old when Lipp, then 15, began working for his father Colin at Eureka Stud.,
“Rex has been my mentor. He came to work for us when he was 15 and I was only nine,” McAlpine said.
“He’s been part of the family ever since.”
Tinto’s win continued a memorable winter carnival for Eureka Stud which quinelled the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 with Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom.
Tinto is by Eureka’s sire, Red Dazzler and is owned by McAlpine’s wife Grania and Annabelle Raff.
Tinto’s win was the second Group 1 for 66-year-old Lipp, who only recently was discharged from hospital after suffering a heart complaint.
His only other Group 1 winner was Star Shiraz who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm 10 years ago.
It also continued Eureka’s tradition of producing Classic winners including 2006 Queensland Derby victor Ice Chariot and 1982 Queensland Oaks heroine Mother Of Pearl as well as 1986 AJC Oaks winner Just Now.
Lipp has been contemplating retirement following his heart scare a fortnight ago but giving up training was not on his mind as he celebrated Tinto’s win with wife, Ros.
“It (the heart) is pretty good at the moment. It did jump around a bit early on but it’s settled down now,” Lipp joked.
“I worked for 17 years for the McAlpine’s. They’ve been through a lot in the past few years with drought and a few things so it’s great to be part of this win.
“This is the race I’ve really wanted to win. I love staying races.”
Bell rated Tinto one of the toughest fillies he has ever ridden.
“She’s a fabulous filly. Everyone was a bit hesitant by saying she couldn’t get the trip,” he said.
“But she’s one of the toughest fillies I’ve ever ridden.
“It’s my first Group 1 winner and I’m dedicating it to my Mum and Dad.
“They did the hard yards early on when they drove me to the races.”
Lipp said Tinto was unlikely to back-up in the G1 Queensland Derby over the same distance at Eagle Farm on June 7.
– Racing Queensland
