Ambitious spring campaign for Tribeca Star

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Matthew Dunn’s talented sprinter Tribeca Star will make a low-key return at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday ahead of an ambitious spring campaign in Sydney.

Tribeca Star steps out for the first time since April in the Class 3 Plate over 1200 metres with James Orman aboard.

Dunn had three other horses nominated for the Class 3 Plate but elected to rely on Tribeca Star as his sole starter.

The trainer has always had a big opinion of Tribeca Star, who hasn’t raced since attempting to give Dunn his second Country Championships Final at Randwick.

Tribeca Star struck a heavy track in the $1 million feature but put up a game performance finishing strongly for sixth, less than four lengths from winner Asgarda.

Dunn won the Country Championships Final with Gracie Belle in 2020.

“His run in the Country Championships was very good but he was caught wide all the way,” Dunn said of Tribeca Star. 

“Had he drawn a good gate he probably would have won.”

Dunn has his fingers crossed there will be enough interest from the public to gain a slot in the $2 million The Kosciuszko, a 1200 metre sprint under set weights and penalties at Randwick on October 19.

“We’ve got to place him well because he’s a Class 3 horse and is a high-rater,” Dunn said.

“He’s been coming along well and is going better than ever.”

Now a five-year-old, Tribeca Star has barrier trialled twice ahead of his return to racing, winning on his home track at Murwillumbah last month and a second on the Gold Coast Polytrack earlier this month.

The son of Star Turn was an $80,000 buy at the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney but shin soreness delayed Tribeca Star’s career several times when he was based at Dunn’s former Sydney stable.

“He had a few issues early in his career but he’s over them now,” Dunn said.

“He’s fit enough for his first-up run and he gets in well at the weights.”

While Dunn is concentrating on securing a start in The Kosciuszko with Tribeca Star, he hasn’t ruled out a long-range tilt at the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

“I want to get through the Sydney spring first then give him a break but the summer carnival in Queensland is an option later on,” Dunn said.