Sleepy Tripp eyes dream comeback

Sleepy Tripp is set to make a successful comeback in the $50,000 Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park today.

Despite not having raced for six weeks, Sleepy Tripp has a proud record and the class to win Southland's premier staying test, of 3200m.

Sleepy Tripp was found to have had a virus after running second to Crystal Star in the Four-Year-Old Championship at Forbury Park on February 5.

His win at the Motukarara workouts last Saturday heartened training partners Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.

"It's been a long road back for him," Purdon said.

"He's now looking good in the head and eye and is holding his condition.

"He'll go well (today)."

Purdon and Payne hope to start Sleepy Tripp in group one four-year-old races at Alexandra Park on April 30 (Taylor Mile) and May 7 (New Zealand Messenger Championship).

Stablemate Ohoka Dallas is also contesting the Invercargill Cup. Ohoka Dallas ran last of 13 in the $500,000 Auckland Cup last week. He caused a false start by breaking in the run-up and had his task made more difficult by being sent from barrier one to the outside of the front row for the restart.

Ohoka Dallas never improved from the rear and finished six lengths from winner Monkey King.

"He can be a bit tardy from a stand, but being on 20m by himself (tomorrow), will help him," Purdon said.

Purdon is to drive Ohoka Dallas and Blair Orange will handle Sleepy Tripp.

Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones will have a two-pronged attack on the Invercargill Cup.

His candidates, Crystal Star and My Man Dan, were second and fourth, respectively, in the workout won by Sleepy Tripp at Motukarara.

"I was a shade disappointed with My Man Dan at the workouts," Jones said.

"He definitely needed the run and he's improved during the week. He's working a lot better this week than he was last week."

My Man Dan, winner of five of his last six starts, will be driven by Jones, while Anthony Butt is booked for Crystal Star.

Crystal Star was in fine form at Addington last month, with a second in the NZ Standardbred Breeders' Stakes and a third in the Premier Mares' Championship.

"Sleepy Tripp is the one to beat," Jones said.

"He trialled very good the other day and he's starting from the outside, which will suit him.

"It's a big drop in class for Ohoka Dallas."

Selections:

Race 1: Prince Harry, Just A Cracker, Sunnivue Ted.

Race 2: Hands Christian, Night Of The Stars, Ransom Olds.

Race 3: Yankee One, Emma Hamilton, Tullylish.

Race 4: Elmer Fudd, Shard Ark, Dashing Christian.

Race 5: Highview Chartom, Royal Cee Cee, Ask McArdle.

Race 6: Stirling Point, Elation Franco, Trelise Jaccka.

Race 7: Rakarebel, The Moth, Songs O'Spring.

Race 8: Sleepy Tripp, Ohoka Dallas, Crystal Star.

Race 9: Flying Diamonds, Cams OK, Kai Bree She.

Race 10: Mach Banner, Deal On The Day, Von Regal.

Best bet: Mach Banner

Longshot: Watch Rose Trot (R3)

- © Fairfax NZ News