Racing: Purdon anticipates better luck

Mark Purdon rates Sleepy Tripp his best hope from his three runners in the NZ Cup. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand Cup Day can only get better for Mark Purdon.

He has already lost one of his stable stars from a group one event before the week started.

He had to scratch Harness Jewels winner I Can Doosit from today's $80,000 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All because of a high white blood cell count.

While he may still be on hand for the $200,000 Dominion Handicap on Friday, it is still a group one opportunity gone begging at a time when the open-class trotting ranks are even but not strong.

To most trainers that would be a killer blow to their day but Purdon, of course, has winning chances in the Cup and Sires' Stakes Finals.

He rates Sleepy Tripp the best of his three Cup runners after two come-from-last performances at Ashburton and Kaikoura in the past two weeks.

As a New Zealand Derby and Easter Cup winner he has the right racing pedigree for a New Zealand Cup but will need to step well today to stay in touch with the big guns.

"He would be just the best of mine because he is a very good stayer and is racing well," said Purdon.

"If the pace is on it will suit him."

Highview Tommy has also been good in the Ashburton and Kaikoura lead-ups but has his chance to win after comfortable trips.

"He raced very well this time last year and stays well so I think he has a place shot at least."

Ohoka Dallas is the blowout chance of the Purdon trio as he has the services of Tony Herlihy. He looks best driven cold but was a strong winner at Methven two starts ago, albeit in what was not a great form race.

Purdon's best chance of group one glory today though comes in the $180,000 Sires' Stakes Final, in which he also has three starters.

While Kotare Yaakov and Lewis Hamilton both look good-class pacers, his best hope is speedster Hands Christian.

He bolted in last start, beating many of his rivals today, with a 26.3 second last 400m.

He has been beaten only once in four starts and Purdon intends using his perfect draw today. "I'd like to be in front and think that would be the best place for him because he gets over the ground very well.

"But I can see a bit of speed early and you don't want to go crazy because there will be plenty of horses coming around once we settle.

"He is going to be hard to beat though because he was very good last start."