Mepunga Cruzer Enjoying Great Stud Upstart

JEFF Britton would be the first to admit he would never start to tell “Mepunga” Barry Smith anything about breeding greyhounds.

But, when Mepunga Cruzer (Barcia Bale-Mepunga Nicky) broke down after just four race starts, all of them wins, Jeff told long-time kennel client Barry he had to give him his chance at stud.

MEPUNGA CRUZER AT STUD

“Jeff took him to The Meadows as a 15 or 16 month old pup and what he slipped was sensational,” said Barry.

“Right from that moment Jeff was singing the dog's praises.”

Mepunga Cruzer is a repeat mating of Barcia Bale-Mepunga Nicky to Group 1 winner and track record breaker and now leading sire Mepunga Blazer.

YOUNG GUN RETURNS
?Warrnambool
? 4
? 3
⏰7.55pm

MEPUNGA CRUZER
Won 3 from 3
Resuming from a spell

REPLAY: Sizzled at Warrnambool in a Best of Night 25.01sec (Box 6).
?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OV8REZhEnN

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) November 7, 2019

Cruzer got to have just four race starts three at Warrnambool, the other at Geelong, and led throughout each time three of them in best-of-night times.

“He tore a back muscle and then did both triangle muscles,” said Barry. “Des Fegan advised me to put him in a paddock until he was three and then bring him back to racing.

“Des knew how fast he was. He was too fast for his own good.”

Barry listened to Jeff Britton and to date the dog has had 13 litters and those that have raced show great ability. The oldest have just turned two.

He is running at a winners to runners percentage of 18.5 and placegetters to runners of 52.6.

“Couldn't be happier with the start he has had,” said Barry.

“But there is much more to come.”

Jeff Britton has an 18 months old litter by Cruzer from Barry's star race bitch and producer Mepunga Rosie, the dam of Group 1 star Mepunga Ruby.

“Jeff took them all to trial recently and a first run from pups is good if they get to 23.50,” said Barry.

“The first two went 23.32 and 23.38, but one of the bitches came out and trialled 23.15.

“It was the fastest of 70 trials that day.”

So impressed are the Brittons with Cruzer's start that Robbie Britton has put 18-times winner Colden Star to him.

ICYMI: The unbeaten MEPUNGA CRUZER (3) makes it 4 from 4 yesterday at Warrnambool. Check out his acceleration after the first 20 metres.

RESULTS: https://t.co/vbtlq9YcQZ pic.twitter.com/ACT7d3smHb

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) November 7, 2019

Colden Star has one litter to race, by Cruzer's full brother Mepunga Blazer, and it includes Group class Carry On Angel (23 wins, $177,000) and Carry On Star (12 wins, $87,000), as well as Carry On Liam and Carry On Maxwell etc.

“Robbie is wrapped in them,” said Barry.

Mepunga Cruzer stands at a fee of $1100 for Angela Langton.

As Barry Smith says of Mepunga Cruzer “he's shaping up pretty good”.