Young Anakie trainer Tim Britton, 31 – whose father, Robert, is a legend of the sport – prepared his first Group 1 finalist when Utah Blues made the Australian Cup in late February.
And now Tim will be attempting to emulate his dad when littermates Carry On Angel (Box 6) and Carry On Star (Box 4) contest the G1 Harrison-Dawson (515m) and G1 Sapphire Crown (515m) finals respectively at Sandown Park tonight.
Britton Snr won the elusive double six years apart – 2013 Clone Your Own (Harrison-Dawson) and 2019 Neo Cleo (Sapphire Crown) – but Britton Jnr has the opportunity on the same night! Both finals carry a $100,000 first prize.
Carry On Angel (who finished second to superstar Shima Shine in an all-male Harrison-Dawson heat last week) is an $81 chance on TAB, while Carry On Star (who won a female only Sapphire Crown heat) is quoted at $13.
“It’s a terrific feeling getting both littermates into these finals,” Tim Britton said. And it would be great to get my first Group 1 win.”
Britton is buoyant about Carry On Star in the Sapphire Crown, but rates the Harrison-Dawson a ‘toss of the coin’ between Shima Shine and Tiggerlong Tonk.
“I was rapt with Carry On Star’s heat run; she powered to the line,” he said.
“And I like her chances in the final. She’s drawn well, as she uses the middle of the track.
“It’s just a matter of her getting around the first bend in a good spot. It’s anyone’s race, and I think she can win.”
As for Carry On Angel, Britton is nowhere near as bullish.
“It’s a hell of a field; he’s done well to make the final. He’ll try his heart out, but I’m hoping for luck.
“However, he lacks the ability of dogs like Shima Shine and Tiggerlong Tonk. He’s a tier below them.”
Carry On Angel – a finalist in the G2 Geelong Gold Cup and G3 Easter Gift – has won 12 races from 42 starts, including six from 19 over 515 metres at Sandown Park.
Meanwhile, Carry On Star – a Lil Dickie Oaks finalist – has raced on 31 occasions for 10 wins, including three from 13 over this track/distance.
Carry On Angel and Carry On Star – Nov ’18 Mepunga Blazer x Colden Star – were bred by Primrose Bryant, who part-owns them as a member of ‘The Two Poms’ syndicate also comprising her husband Roger and close friends Dennis and Colleen Rose.
WATCH: Carry On Star (4) upstages G1 Australian Cup finalist Shima Classic (1) in a G1 Sapphire Crown heat at Sandown Park last week.
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