Another rising star in the Linke stable

IT’S a far cry from the glitz and glamour of this time last year, but Tyson Linke is pleased nonetheless.

Last September Linke was the toast of the nation after his grand mare Encipher captured the inaugural  The Eureka at Club Menangle.

Trained by Victorian horsewoman Emma Stewart and driven to perfection by local reinsman Luke McCarthy, Encipher upstaged a host of Australia’s best three and four-year-olds in the $2.1million feature.

Retired after her Ladyship Cup victory in Melton last January, Encipher is booked to visit the court of Confederate, which is standing at McCarthy’s Cobbitty Equine Farm.

As for Linke’s latest reason to smile, he was triumphant with promising filly Quick Dip in Port Pirie on Saturday night.

Despite the massive drop in stakes and limelight, Linke is thrilled to see the three-year-old extend her record to five wins and three seconds from eight starts.

“She’s still a work in progress in the fact she is very green, but we can’t ask for much more from her,” Linke said. “She hasn’t stopped improving and gives every impression she will keep getting better with experience.”

With Wayne Hill in the cart, Quick Dip worked outside the leader, Hezrockinroyalty, before powering her way to a three-and-a-half metre win from Johnboyazza.

Hezrockinroyalty battled on to be four-and-a-half metres away third.

Bred by Linke and owned by Ian Shephard, the daughter of Downbytheseaside covered the mile in 1:57.7.

“It was a good strong run from her,” Linke said. “For now I will keep finding the right races for her as we work towards the Southern Cross Series later in the season.”

• Story Paul Courts