Sun Worshipper out to shine in Caloundra Cup

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer Matt Kropp believes a seven-day back-up won’t harm talented mare Sun Worshipper’s hopes of claiming the Listed Caloundra Cup on Saturday.

Sun Worshipper’s main target this winter was in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown at Eagle Farm last Saturday when she finished second to the Todd Pollard-trained Zuleika.

“We were hoping to get away with the Gold Crown last Saturday, but she got a long way off them in a small field,” Kropp said.

“She picked them up quite well, but it took a fair bit of effort from her.

“She’s only a slight mare, but she’s tough and she’s pulled up well after the run.”

Kropp had tossed up bypassing the Caloundra Cup to start in the Grafton Cup on July 16 before electing to remain on home soil.

Sun Worshipper proved she can cope with a seven-day back up after winning the Shoot Out at Eagle Farm in January.

“Her best win was in the Shoot Out when she backed up a week after running at Eagle Farm,” Kropp said.

“She’s only put in one bad run this preparation when she failed in the (Group 3) Premier's Cup three starts back."

Kropp's confidence is also boosted by the likelihood of a wet track as Sun Worshipper relishes the wet being a winner on Soft ground and also placing three times in Heavy going.

“Some of her best runs have been on wet grounds, so the wet won’t bother her,” Kropp said.

“She ran in the Ipswich Cup on a Soft track and ran a great race to finish third.

“But, it was handed to the winner Kaluakoi that day when he was able to skip away in front and lead all the way.”

Kropp has been training for 25 years and would rate a Caloundra Cup win as one of the highlights of his career.

“I’ve won a few big open company races along the way but nothing like a Caloundra Cup,” he said.

Sun Worshipper was bred by Kropp’s close friend Wally Gleeson and his family.

“Wally and his sons bred her at their property they once owned at Chinchilla,” Kropp said.

“They no longer own that property where they bred Rothfire, but they still have a few mares scattered around other properties.

“Sun Worshipper has a nice pedigree and comes from the same family as Lonhro and is now a four-time stakes placegetter.”