Racing: Purdon plans sleepy start to campaign for Aussie riches

Mark Purdon rates I Can Doosit a better chance tomorrow night. Photo / Christine Cornege

The Kiwi assault on a month of Victorian harness racing riches starts with a warning tomorrow night.

Champion trainer Mark Purdon takes The Sleepy Tripp and I Can Doosit to the Shepparton meeting to start a campaign aimed at the Hunter Cup for Australasian Trotting Champs.

The pair could be joined by Gold Ace, Empyrean, Stunin Cullen, Power Of Tara and Smiling Shard in the next fortnight.

But Purdon says because The Sleepy Tripp's main aim is the A$425,000 Hunter Cup on February 5 he won't be screwed right down for tomorrow night's A$50,000 Shepparton Cup. "He worked well at Alexandra Park last Saturday morning and he could win but he will definitely take improvement out of the race," said Purdon.

The Sleepy Tripp was second in the Victoria Cup last month but disappointed upon his return to Alexandra Park on December 31.

"I think both he and I Can Doosit were tired after their trip to Victoria so didn't race up to their best on New Year's Eve but they have freshened up nicely now."

The Sleepy Tripp faces Australia's best mare, Make Mine Cullen, as well as Miracle Mile placegetter Villagem.

Purdon rates I Can Doosit a better chance of victory in tomorrow night's A$30,000 mobile trot. "He is working well but is up against Ronerail, who is racing well and will be the hardest."