Racing: Sleepy Tripp needs to be wide awake at start for victory

Sleepy Tripp. Photo / Greg Bowker

The craziness which is Kaikoura Cup Day could distract Sleepy Tripp all the way to a win in the feature there today.

The former Derby winner needs a safe beginning in today's $50,000 Cup to have any chance of winning a race usually dominated by front runners.

To do that he has to overcome the worst barrier in standing start racing - barrier one - where horses usually have to stand for the longest while their rivals procrastinate.

However, trainer-driver Mark Purdon says barrier one, coupled with the unique atmosphere at Kaikoura, could actually help Sleepy Tripp.

Kaikoura is one of the few tracks in New Zealand which does not have a grandstand, so many of the patrons watch the racing from inside the track. In fact, right inside the track.

That social atmosphere, buses, tents, thousands of people crossing the track and general country-style mayhem of the raceday is unusual to say the least but Purdon says that could be a good thing.

"He is a funny horse who gets bored and starts backing away in his stands. But with a bit to look at and keephis mind on the job I think he might be fine. And if he steps away well hewill be very hard to beat."

Sleepy Tripp muffed the start at Ashburton last Monday but made ground on a solid speed to finish fifth.

That saw him chase home a key rival today in Smiling Shard, who also broke last week but finished third, his performance perhaps slightly better than Sleepy Tripp's.

But with the flat Kaikoura track so suited to front runners, Sleepy Tripp is the one to beat if he can overcome his draw.

Purdon also has a soft spot for Highview Tommy today after he returned to something like his best form with a second in the Ashburton Flying Stakes last Monday.

"There isn't a lot between them but Highview Tommy is generally safer from the stand, although Sleepy Tripp might be going a bit better."

Smiling Shard is an obvious danger to the pair while the run of Pembrook Benny will be interesting.

He was good enough to run fourth in the New Zealand Cup last season but has struggled this term after suffering a slight infection on his trip south.

"I am happier with him now but he needs to go a good one this time to be back on track for the Cup," said his co-trainer Barry Purdon.

Sleepy Tripp isn't the only open-class up-and-comer facing the tricky ace draw today, with Dr Hook having to overcome it in the $25,000 main trot.

He has looked a special trotter in the making this year but hates confined spaces, so barrier one is a potential horror show for him.

If he does step and handle the track he will be almost impossible to catch.

The day's other big race is the $50,000 Sales Series Pace, which brings together one of the most even fields every year on the harness racing calendar, but Toledo could be the one to catch if he can step well, because his recent Alexandra Park form has been outstanding.