Successful trainer/breeder Angela Langton is optimistic exciting youngsters Mr. Fix It and Jepara are destined for bigger and better things than their assignments at The Meadows on Saturday evening.
Mr. Fix It and Jepara, well-bred sons of champion sire Fernando Bale, have started their careers in exciting fashion and while both will have to overcome box four on Saturday, Langton is upbeat about their immediate and long-term futures.
The well-named Mr. Fix It, TAB’s $2.90 favourite in race 11, is raced by the Maintenance Man Syndicate, which features Langton’s dad Morgan Smith and good friend Stan Bauer.
“Stan is a very dear friend and he’s a real ‘Mr. Fix It’, who’s helped us with so many things,” Langton explained.
“When my son Nicholas was a toddler he’d say ‘Mum, here’s the man who can fix anything’!
“I actually gave Stan a share in this dog to thank him for all the work he’s done for us over the years.
“We wouldn’t have the beautiful kennels we have without his help and Dad also comes and gives us a hand so the dog is well-named and he’s a really nice pup too.”
Mr. Fix It has won four of his five starts, with three of those victories coming at his home track, Geelong, and the other a 30.32s success at The Meadows that Langton has no doubt he will improve on.
“He broke in really well; probably one of the quickest pups I’ve had break in actually,” said Langton.
“His brother, Do It, also broke in well but he’s a little bit stronger. He’s already broken 30 at The Meadows (29.85s at just his third start).
“I think Mr. Fix It should go well on Saturday. He’s got pace and he’s been schooled at The Meadows, so he knows his way around there. Being a young dog it will be interesting to see how he handles a late race.
“We also trained his mother (Alpha Demeter). She had a lot of speed and while early on I wasn’t sure how strong she was going to be, she ended up winning over 600m in the city. I think this dog is going to keep improving and getting stronger too.”
Langton also has a lofty opinion of Jepara, the $3.90 second elect in TAB’s market on race 9.
Jepara is making his first appearance in town after taking out a maiden series at Warrnambool in eye-catching fashion, storming home from near last in the final.
“I thought that was a terrific win from a young dog,” Langton said.
“He came from seventh, went around everything and still ran pretty good time (25.54s). He’d never been to Warrnambool before or under lights so it was a very good effort.
“Jepara broke in really well too; he was probably on a par with Mr. Fix It and Jepara’s run-home was about the best I’ve ever had from a breaker. I really do expect big things from him.
“His mother, Tarks Nemesis, was a front-running stayer, so I don’t think strength will be a problem.”
Photo by Jason McKeown
