Staying with top record
CHAMPION Lara trainer Robert Britton is confident Blazing Cartier can continue his remarkable run in Sandown staying features when she lines up in the RSN Sandown Cup tonight.
Britton has won two of the past three Sandown Cups with two of the greatest stayers in modern history — Fanta Bale in 2017 and Tornado Tears in 2018.
But his recent success runs beyond the Sandown Cup.
Britton-trained runners have won six of the past seven Group 1 races over 715m at the circuit, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s premier conditioner of stayers.
Britton believes reputation, rather than any secret training techniques, are the reason for that success.
“If you have a bit of success in distance racing, you tend to get offered dogs that are bred to stay,” Britton said.
“I traditionally work all of my dogs hard, but I don’t do anything differently.
“The stayers tend to be naturally clean-winded, probably because of their breeding, but my gut feel is that a lot of dogs that could stay never get the opportunity.”
Blazing Cartier, still a month shy of her third birthday, has already logged 30 starts over the staying journey and has built an imposing record, particularly at Sandown Park.
From 11 appearances over 715m, she has won five and been placed in five. The only time she has missed out on prizemoney was when fifth to kennel mate Tornado Tears in the 2019 Group 1 Bold Trease.
She turned in one of the runs of her career in last week’s heats, defying her regular racing pattern by beginning quickly before wearing down and outstaying series favourite Mister Harlewood.
The performance pleased Britton and he is confident of reproducing it tonight.
“She should get a clear enough run from box 2, but it’s where she settles that will determine whether she can win,” he said.
“She can get out of the boxes well but lacks a bit of early dash and can get shuffled back early.
“She’ll have plenty left when they turn for home.”
The Britton family has had considerable success in the Sandown Cup, with Britton’s sister Linda and father Alan also on the honour roll.
A win has eluded younger brother Jeff, despite him preparing numerous finalists, but. Britton believes his brother has an excellent chance of a breakthrough victory, rating his runner True Detective as the one to beat in the final.