The Britton name is synonymous with the flagship Super Stayers series and all-time great stayer, Fanta Bale.
A master conditioner of distance exponents, Lara’s Robert Britton, 66, won the event with Fanta Bale (2018) and Here’s Tears. He also finished runner-up in successive years with Gunnadoo Magic (2008-09) and third with Space Star (2015).
In 2019, it was renamed the ‘Fanta Bale Super Stayers’ in honour of the nine-time G1 winner which won 42 races from 63 starts and is Australian greyhound racing’s highest earner ($1,365,175).
Fanta Bale is also a dual Australian GOTY (2017 & 2018) and Victorian GOTY (2017 & 2018) and a GRV Hall of Fame inductee.
But it’s Britton’s younger brother Jeff, 59, who once again could get his ‘42 seconds of fame’ and join his older sibling as a two-time winner of the race.
He won with Star Recall in 2016 and was runner-up with True Detective in 2020.
Based at Anakie, Britton has Mepunga Ruby (Box 4) in the $100,000 to-the-winner Group 1 TAB Fanta Bale Super Stayers final (725m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Click HERE for TAB’s Fanta Bale Super Stayers market.
Mepunga Ruby was a $3.50 ‘All In’ favourite for the final prior to the heats but has been crunched into $1.70. Her nearest rivals in betting are Overflow Lisa (Box 1) and Micks Recall (Box 6) – both at $6.
A five-time G1 finalist, Mepunga Ruby ‘sparkled’ with a powerful 42.45sec (Best) heat win.
Mepunga Ruby ($1.40F) defeated Overflow Lisa ($9.20) by 3.4L, with Here’s Tears ($34.30) – which was contesting his third consecutive Super Stayers series – a further 1.6L away third.
She notched her 18th win from 31 races and her fourth from seven over 725m at The Meadows.
“This is her best chance to win a Group 1, although the box draw isn’t fantastic,” Britton said. “However, she’s one of the more experienced stayers in the race.”
Mepunga Ruby (Mar ’19 Fernando Bale x Mepunga Rosie) came ‘close but no cigar’ late last year in a couple of G1s – Sale Cup (2nd) and Bold Trease (3rd).
But Britton also issued a disclaimer on Victoria’s ‘staying sweetheart’.
“She likes to get into a ‘comfort zone’ and doesn’t like rivals cutting across her.”
“It always depends on what’s drawn beside her as she likes a little bit of room to move.
“She likes to get into a ‘comfort zone’ and doesn’t like rivals cutting across her.”
Britton added Mepunga Ruby – owned by legendary Mepunga East breeder, Barry Smith – was “going as good as ever”.
“She just needs a bit of luck. If she gets a clear run, I believe she’s the one to beat as she has the times on the board.”
Mepunga Ruby is a champion on the racetrack. But what is she like at home?
“She’s beautiful,” Britton said. “She’s a little ‘pocket rocket’ and full of herself.
“She’s bold and thinks she’s the boss!”
WATCH: Mepunga Ruby (4) sets the Fanta Bale Super Stayers heats time standard in a ‘sparkling’ 42.45sec.
2022 FANTA BALE SUPER STAYERS FINAL (725m)
Saturday 26 February – First prize $100,000
- OVERFLOW LISA (Robert Camilleri, Lara VIC)
- ORCA (Steve Nagy, Traralgon VIC)
- FLYING LANTERN (Tim Britton, Lara VIC)
- MEPUNGA RUBY (Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC)
- FERNANDO’S QUEST (Michelle Mallia, Avalon VIC)
- MICKS RECALL (Jamie Hosking, Churchable QLD)
- SIR TRUCULENT (Walter Harkins, Jervois SA)
- BECK’S MONELLI (Robert Camilleri, Lara VIC)
Reserves
- HERE’S TEARS (Robert Britton, Lara VIC)
- DRAKO BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
HEAT WINNERS
(Fastest to slowest)
- 42.45sec Mepunga Ruby
- 42.67sec Micks Recall
- 42.69sec Orca
- 42.80sec Fernando’s Quest
