Dual Group winner back after 18 months off

FORMER rising star Ripp will make his racing return this weekend.

Completing a winning debut as a two-year-old, Ripp was sidelined for more than a year through injury before establishing himself among the best of his crop.

A dual Group One winner at three, the son of Somebeachsomewhere made a steady transition through the grades before his previous injury "flared up" towards the end of his four-year-old campaign.

Sidelined since his unplaced run in Bathurst on Boxing Day 2023, Ripp is poised to compete at Club Menangle on Saturday night.

The Bernie Hewitt-trained gelding has impressed in trials, with three wins and a second from four appearances.

"He ran through a dry creek after his first start, over reached and his back hoof went through his front tendon," Hewitt explained. "He cut through a fair bit of his superficial flexor tendon, so he has done well to race at all.

"The fibres in that area started to come away during his last campaign and his form wavered, so I put him out.

"It has been a long process with him, but he has come up well."

To be driven by Hewitt, Ripp has drawn barrier four over 1609 metres.

"I'm pleased with the draw," Hewitt said. "He's going to need the run, but is pretty forward.

"On his work and his trial runs, I'm reasonably confident."