By Glenn Davis
The iconic two-day Birdsville Cup meeting gets under way on Friday with Toowoomba trainer Matt Kropp hoping to be amongst the winners.
Kropp has dispatched a large team of horses on a 22-hour trip to Birdsville, where event organisers are preparing for an influx of thousands.
The small population of just over 100 is expected to swell to host around 7000 visitors over the bumper two-day carnival.
The event comprises a 13-race program as well as a packed schedule of entertainment and activities.
The 1600 metre Birdsville Cup on Saturday is the big one, attracting a stellar field of trainers, jockeys and thoroughbreds from across the nation.
Kropp has three runners taking part on day one with Learning Curve in the Benchmark 55 Handicap, Wait A Minute in the Open Handicap and Laurie in the Class 5 Handicap.
All three have drawn perfectly and will be ridden by former Rockhampton-based apprentice Alisha Donald.
Donald was raised in Gympie before moving to Rockhampton when she was 18, originally to study at university, while being indentured as an apprentice to Rockhampton trainer Tim Cook.
Kropp is on his third trip for the Birdsville Cup carnival and will be represented by Bernie’s Tiger in the 1600 metre Cup on Saturday.
“Salazar is also in the Cup but I’ve scratched him so he can start in the Benchmark 65,” Kropp said.
Kropp has given punters a lead for day one favouring Learning Curve as his best hope.
Learning Curve will be having her first start since finishing eighth to Mircalesfromheaven in a 1000 metre Benchmark 60 Handicap at Toowoomba on July 9.
“She’s done some travelling in her time and has raced at Rockhampton and Blackall,” Kropp said.
“It’s a 22-hour drive to Birdsville but we go a different way than some trainers via Tambo, Longreach and Bedourie.
“We left on Sunday to spend a few days in Bedourie before we get there on Thursday.
“Alisha is riding most of my runners out there and she’s been riding really well since she came back from an injury.
“She’s now apprenticed to Glenn Richardson at Nanango and she’s been riding a few winners after only being back a couple of months after hurting her leg.”
