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Purdon Pair Set For Shepparton Spoils
20 January 2011
The Sleepy Tripp and I Can Doosit will represent New Zealand on Saturday night at Shepparton
Champion Kiwi horseman Mark Purdon is back for the upcoming SKY Racing Nights Of Glory carnival.
After experiencing contrasting fortunes in their first foray across the ditch during last month’s SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup carnival, Champion Kiwi horseman Mark Purdon’s two stable stars are ready to settle some unfinished business, starting at Shepparton this Saturday night.
The Sleepy Tripp, a breathtaking second placegetter behind Mr Feelgood in the Victoria Cup returns to take on Villagem and co. in the $50,000 Group 2 Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup.
While in the preceding race, I Can Doosit, who battled fifth behind superstar squaregaiter Sundons Gift in Australasian Trotters Grand Prix, is set to spar with the rejuvenated Ronerail in the $25,000 Group 2 E B Cochran Cup.
But while most eyes will be on whether Purdon’s promising pacer can go one better than on December 18 at the Quest Racing Complex this weekend, after both horses ran below their best back home on New Year’s eve, it’s top trotter I Can Doosit that the champion conditioner elects as his leading hope of success.
“Both horses raced just below their capabilities last start back home,” Purdon revealed.
“Our travel arrangements changed at the last minute and we ended up staying a couple of days longer than we were planning after the Vic Cup and they just didn’t cop it I don’t think.
“They’ve both had five days off though and seemed to have freshened up nicely, so it looks like we’re back on track.
“If I had to select one to win, I reckon I Can Doosit might be the better placed going into Saturday. He’s the one who might have benefited most from the freshen-up whereas The Sleepy Tripp may just need the run.
“Having said that, we’re not coming here to make up the numbers, he’s there to win if he’s good enough on the night and we won’t be making excuses if he can’t.”
After Saturday night, The Sleepy Tripp is likely to head to Ballarat for the opening meeting of the SKY Racing Nights Of Glory, before a crack at the Group 1 BIG6 Hunter Cup on February 5.
While I Can Doosit will be set for both heat and final of the Australasian Trotting Championship to also be run in consecutive weeks from January 28.
But for now Purdon’s focus is on Shepparton this Saturday as he prepares to avenge the near misses of our last major carnival with his gifted pair of stars.
“We’re really looking forward to getting settled and having a real crack this weekend,” the gun Kiwi conditioner said.
“And as I say, I really do fancy I Can Doosit can give his race a real shake. That gate (eight) suits him. He doesn’t have great gate speed anyway and being the only runner off the back line gives us a few options.
“But both horses should acquit themselves well, they almost always do.”
