Liapari springs huge upset in Civic Stakes

A solid pace over a distance short of his best has been the catalyst for Liapari’s return to the winner’s circle in the Civic Stakes at Rosehill.

One of four runners for premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller in Saturday’s 1350m Listed race, Liapari was the longest priced of the quartet at $41 while punters came late for Jungle Edge, backing him from $5.50 to $4.60 favourite.

As usual, Jungle Edge assumed control, leading and posting 200 metres sectional times of 12 seconds.

Dreamforce ($7) was one who appreciated the tempo but just when he looked the winner, Liapari came over the top of him to win by a half-head.

Flow ($5) finished another 1-1/2 lengths third with Jungle Edge fourth under his 61kg.

Waller said his confidence grew at the 400 metres when he could see Liapari, whose last win was in July last year, start working into the race.

“I was getting confident at that point because there was plenty of speed on,” Waller said.

“It was a high pressure race. They were flying and it set it up for the back markers.

“Jungle Edge is a good horse and you know when he is in the race the speed is on.”

Liapari was ridden by Jay Ford to bring up his ninth winner since Karavali won at Randwick a week earlier.

“Jay is a good rider and at light weights there will be a few more opportunities around the corner for him,” Waller said.

Ford said the race could not have worked out better for Liapari.

“He appreciated the good tempo,” he said.

“We were able to cut through on the turn and then I was able to expose him halfway up the straight.

“He really surged to the line the last 150 (metres). He has always possessed that sort of ability but usually needs 1600 or 2000 metres.

“It is good signs for him going forward and hopefully this gives him confidence as it had been a while since he had won.

“When I gave him a rev up at the 600 he immediately started to pick his way through the field

“Then when I got the run through on the inside he got himself into the race quite comfortably.”