By Michael Floyd
JEFF Britton claimed the training honours in Thursday evenings Macro Meats Laurels heats, landing a winning treble and qualifying five-runners for this Thursday night’s semi-finals.
Midnight Scandal, Cosmic Wise and Watta Good Dee each claimed the $6260 first prize for winning their respective heats, and will be joined by kennelmates Wise Peejay and Mepunga Tiara in the next round.
“It was a good night, it’s nice to have a bit of luck,” said a modest Britton.
The fastest of Britton’s winners was Whatta Good Dee, leading all of the way to win in 29.58 seconds. It was just the second win in Whatta Good Dee’s last 10 starts and her first in four attempts at Sandown Park.
“She wasn’t starting very well so we tried a few different things. She was switched on tonight and got away well and she’s much better out in front.
“It was also the first time I’ve handled her myself so maybe that was it!”
Of the three heat winners, Britton was most confident in Cosmic Wise before the meeting.
“I really like her but she needs to draw an inside box. I was reluctant to tip her because I thought she’d be much shorter especially after she was tipped in most of the form guides.”
Cosmic Wise paid $4.30 for her 2.75 length win in 29.60, while Midnight Scandal took out the night’s opening heat in 30.11.
Joining Britton’s quintet in the semi-finals will be TAB Melbourne Cup runner-up Dyna Beth after leading all of the way to win her heat by six lengths in 29.55 seconds. The 10th win of Dyna Beth’s career taking her prize money beyond $150,000 – a remarkable figure for a greyhound that only turned two in October.
Punters had to wait until the last heat of the night before the Tam’s Wish recorded the fastest heat win, running 29.49 on the way to a 3.5 length win for Mick Chilcott.
Other winners included Steel Show (29.62) for Malcolm Hirtzel, and Liara Allen (29.52) for Steven Collins.
The Macro Meats Laurels is Victoria’s richest race for age-restricted females with many contenders going onto success both on the track and in the breeding barn.
Four semi-finals will be run Thursday night with the winner and each runner-up progressing to the $72,500 Group 2 final to be run on Boxing Day.
