Trainer Rex Lipp hopes to know soon if his exciting filly Express Air will prove a genuine contender for the $1 million Magic Million Trophy at the Gold Coast.The 1400-metre feature is more than a month away on January 10 but in the meantime Lipp has pencilled in two key races starting with the Thiess Services Electrical Quality (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday to determine if Express Air will measure up.Express Air stamped her credentials for the Magic Millions Trophy at her last appearance on Se
Trainer Rex Lipp hopes to know soon if his exciting filly Express Air will prove a genuine contender for the $1 million Magic Million Trophy at the Gold Coast.
The 1400-metre feature is more than a month away on January 10 but in the meantime Lipp has pencilled in two key races starting with the Thiess Services Electrical Quality (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday to determine if Express Air will measure up.
Express Air stamped her credentials for the Magic Millions Trophy at her last appearance on September 20 when she torpedoed a Melbourne trip for boom filly Zero Rock at Eagle Farm.
Zero Rock was being prepared for the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield but trainer Kelso Wood immediately scrapped the trip south following the first defeat of her career.
Lipp has his own targets in mind with Express Air who was slow out of the barriers last start before unleashing a whirlwind finish to win for the second time in her four-start career.
"If she comes up this campaign and goes on to the Magic Millions I'll then put her away and look at the winter races for her next year," Lipp said.
"I'm not sure whether she'll stay but the Queensland Guineas looks a nice race for her at this stage.
"She's a very exciting filly and should run a mile (1600 metres) but I'm not sure yet whether she will get 2400 metres for the Queensland Oaks."
Express Air has been in work for two months but Lipp warned the three-year-old had two factors against her winning first-up.
"This race tomorrow might be a touch short for her but she'll run a hell of a race," Lipp said.
"My other concern is with her condition. She might feel the pinch in the last 50 metres or so.
"But if she happened to strike a wet track that wouldn't disadvantage her in any way."
Express Air was soundly beaten when fourth in a 900-metre barrier trial on her home track at Toowoomba on November 25.
"I was happy with her trial. She came from a long way back in the trial and the winner went helter-skelter in front," he said.
Express Air will have her final dress rehearsal for the Magic Millions Trophy in the Listed Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on December 27.