Racing: Tripp's my tip says rival

Trainer Tim Butt thinks Mark Purdon won't be quite so easy to beat at Addington tonight.

Six nights ago Butt landed the highlight of his great career when Mr Feelgood won the Interdominion, while training arch-rival Purdon suffered the shock of seeing his champion pacer Auckland Reactor finish last.

The two Canterbury horseman are back home and set to dominate the $300,000 Christian Cullen New Zealand Derby at Addington tonight with Sleepy Tripp and Stunin Cullen.

And Butt says that even though his representative, Stunin Cullen, has been the standout of the 3-year-old season, Purdon's Sleepy Tripp is the one to beat.

"Mark's horse deserves to start favourite," said Butt.

"I think it is pretty obvious the gap between the two of them has closed a lot and maybe there is nothing between them now.

"And the way he [Sleepy Tripp] won last week he could beat us again."

Sleepy Tripp floored punters when he sat outside Stunin Cullen in a 54.8 seconds last 800m to win the Flying Stakes last Friday, confirming how unlucky he was when second in the Woodlands Northern Derby.

In that March 6 classic, Stunin Cullen was able to reach the lead in the middle stages and put Sleepy Tripp three deep on the markers, from where he was unable to get clear until the race was over.

While Stunin Cullen has been awesome all season, his three most recent clashes with Sleepy Tripp have suggested the later has improved more over the summer and for now, at least, is as good as Stunin Cullen.

And with the better barrier draw, Sleepy Tripp is the one to beat.

Butt warns, however, that Stunin Cullen will improve on last Friday's beaten performance.

"Last Friday my horse hadn't raced for three weeks, whereas Sleepy Tripp raced the week before.

"So I think our fella will take a lot more improvement. Still, he will need to as he was beaten fair and square."

Sleepy Tripp has the draw to press forward and lead and while it may seem logical he would be happy to trail Stunin Cullen after similar tactics came undone in the Woodlands Derby, don't be surprised to see Sleepy Tripp stay in front.

While the pair will monopolise betting on the classic, there are still upset chances, with the best of them being Aslan.

He has a tough draw to overcome but if the leaders get carried away playing cat and mouse with each other, he could spring a surprise.

His driver Tony Herlihy should capture the night's other feature, the $100,000 Trotting Championship, with One Over Kenny.

The great mare was soundly beaten twice by Stig at last month's Auckland Cup carnival but is clearly the second best trotter in the country and with Stig sidelined she will start a warm favourite.

One Over Kenny has a second-line draw but that suits her racing style and she looks the night's best bet.

DERBY RIVALRY
* Stunin Cullen and Sleepy Tripp continue their rivalry in the $300,000 Derby tonight.
* While Stunin Cullen is our top 3-year-old, Sleepy Tripp has been better in the past six weeks.
* Tonight's other Addington feature should fall to One Over Kenny.