Britton hoping for improvement in the Adelaide Cup
Jeffrey Britton and Angela Langton run one of the most powerful kennels in the country and this Thursday night, they will be sending a team of seven down to Angle Park in an attempt to get through to the Group 1 Adelaide Cup final to be held on Friday the 8th of October.
Jeffrey Britton offered his thoughts on all of their dogs' chances.
Fields for the Adelaide Cup heats can be found here
Mepunga Warrior (Race 3, Box 8 - 7:19pm)
A dog with an outstanding career record, he had the red last week at Angle Park for his first look at the track and found plenty of terrible when a short favourite. Not known for his early speed, he will have to work some magic from box 8.
“He didn’t use the red very well last and I thought he would! I just gotta hope he can get some sort of clear run. He’s had a look at the track so hopefully that helps a little bit. He will want to be coming out of the first corner sitting second or third and then he will be finishing well.”
Weblec Jet (Race 4, Box 7 - 7:40pm)
South Australian owned chaser that has been flying in recent times in Victoria. He came over for a crack at the match races last week and won his race against Jack’s Well in a close result. Has to deal with a tricky map and some speed around him.
“I didn’t like Danyo’s Charlie drawing outside! Weblect Jet can get out of a box as well though, he has a bit of pace. His match race wasn’t great but it’s hard to get a gauge on dogs that haven’t been there before. I’m just hoping they can improve 3-4 lengths. He probably needed the run last week as well as he’s had a bit of time off. He did a trial the week before and only went ok. I’m just hoping there's improvement in him, I'm sure of it, just whether it’s Thursday night or next month I'm not sure.”
Keep It Black (Race 5, Box 1 - 8:04pm)
FFA class chaser in Melbourne who had a trial last week against Spring Lilac and beat her in 30.31. Has won 2 from 2 off the red and last start at Geelong he ran 22.32, showing great pace. He meets a superstar in Qwara Bale in a very tough heat.
“The red gives you a chance! Normally he’s got a bit of pace but last week he didn’t show it. I’m just hoping that run on the track can get him out of boxes. If it was at Meadows or Sandown you would probably say he won’t beat her (Qwara Bale), but I think he’s been in races where he might have been pretty close to her.”
Mr. Fix It (Race 6, Box 3 - 8:25pm)
One of the real top dogs currently racing in Victoria, he has won 20 races and earnt over $140k in prize money. Has won his last 5 showing brilliance early each and every start. Trialled here last week and beat Do It by a half length after leading him.
“He trialled well before he went there (for his trial last week), he’s had a bit of time off as well so should hopefully improve. He’s the most consistent of them all when it comes to leading, it’s just what happens after that. He would probably like it a bit shorter than the 530m but if you’re out in front then you’ve got a chance.”
Weblec Blazer (Race 6, Box 4 - 8:25pm)
Had his trial last week in the match race series when he beat Danyo’s Charlie in a sharp 30.15. Recently finished 3L behind Aston Rupee in the Victorian speedstar series and he looks to have the most upside and improvement of the runners coming over.
“I just spoke to Angela and said at least if you’re gonna have Mr. Fix It getting tired then he (Weblec Blazer) will be coming along to run home. He’s a bit of a duffer too when he’s dealing with traffic. He will be heading to the fence and will just need a bit of luck in running. I just want him to sit on the inside dogs and get through them at the end. I thought last week's run in the match race was terrific, I think he could have run what Aston Rupee ran if it was solo. He had to sort of baulk to get around the dog and he didn’t know where he was. I think he lost a few lengths. I also think Aston Rupee was a bit lost as well and he will improve a lot.”
Do It (Race 7, Box 1 - 8:49pm)
Super honest chaser that came over and had a trial last week. Just beaten by Mr. Fix It in that and 2 starts ago he ran second to Tigerlong Tonk. Arguably finds the easiest of the heats and has the draw to match.
“He loves the red! I don’t know how many times his brother (Mr. Fix It) has beaten him but if you did them solo then Do It would beat him, he just hasn’t got the habits. If he can just get out like he did last week then he should find himself in front and that’s what I would like to see! The thing is too he’s had a lot of time off and that’s why I didn’t run him in the match races, he hadn’t had a trial since his last race start, I've only been working him at home. I’m sure he will be better for that run last week.”
Tyler Durden (Race 8, Box 2 - 9:10pm)
Another open class dog from Victoria that trialled last week against Weblec Whirl. Was led by her but picked her up easily and looked very green in the process. Ran a strong 30.47. Two starts ago he won in 29.49 at Sandown.
“He’s always going to finish off, I’ve got a lot of dogs that aren’t brilliant beginners so they aren’t the right types to be bringing for cups but when I saw the distance at 530m, I thought it would suit him. He will need luck though. I still recon a lot of Fernando Bales need a run on the track, so he was only feeling his way around last week. If there's any trouble with them up front, he will be running on.
In terms of the best chances, Jeffrey offered this.
“Without a box draw I thought my best chance was Weblec Jet, until he ran last week! He was the main one I was going for because he doesn’t rely on boxes much. Looking at box draws you’ve gotta say Do It, but we will see how we go!”
Photo: Weblec Blazer and his handler preparing prior to his match race last Thursday
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography