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Tinto was always going to be the curtain call on Darling Downs horseman Rex Lipp's career but the loss of Tim Bell, the Queensland Oaks winner's regular raceday partner, has added some sadness to the remainder of her career.
Bell fell to his death in Singapore at the beginning of the month. He had been planning to be part of the summer campaign of Tinto, who was his only group 1 winner.
The tragedy has hit Lipp hard and he said Tinto will be running for Bell in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
"It is hard to come to terms with it. I still think of him," Lipp said. "It has shattered me. He has been such a big part of Tinto. We had been messaging each other in the days before it happened about where she would be starting. He should be here for Saturday.
"I miss his messages and miss him even though he was in Singapore."
Lipp decided to take care of Tinto after she won the 2013 Queensland Oaks – his career high – and along with injury breaks she remains lightly raced. She looked a stayer with a touch of class on Oaks day but has never returned to the 2400m trip.
"You don't get many chances with horses like her and we have made sure she is right before bringing her back," Lipp said.
"I have always said that Tinto might see me out as a trainer and Tim was going to be a big part of that. He was great rider and knew her so well. I'm sure he will be on our side from upstairs. She is going to get the job done for him and there are a couple more wins in her."
Tinto comes back to Sydney in search of another piece of black type in the Festival Stakes before a possible crack at the Villiers Stakes in a couple of weeks. The Magic Millions Stayers Cup, which she won last year, also has some appeal.
But it could be argued that there is still another group 1 in the five-year-old mare.
"I have always thought that," Lipp said. "If we have had a bit of luck it could have been in the Coolmore Classic last year. She got beaten a couple of lengths and was flying and injured herself, that's why she was 34 weeks between runs.
"I thought her return in the Keith Noud Stakes over the 1200m was all right and she has come on since it and this trip [1500m] is more suitable for her.
"We were looking for the right race for her and this one suited us, whether we come back for the Villiers will depend on how she goes on Saturday. It has some appeal because of what it gets you [a guaranteed start in the Doncaster Mile during The Championships]."
Tim Clark takes the ride on Tinto after Sam Clipperton was suspended after being booked for the Festival Stakes. Lipp realised Tinto is a bit of an underdog coming to Sydney.
"There weren't that many calls to ride her and I really started to look for a jockey a couple of weeks ago. Sam was booked but got suspended, but fortunately his manager told me that Tim Clark was available, which suited us. He is one of the best around and will have to be from the gate 15."
