‘Modest' Purchase Sets Scorching Perth Cup Pace
CHAMPION trainer Robert Britton has the favourite for the Perth Cup and new owner John Hutchison is eyeing an immediate return.
CHAMPION trainer Robert Britton has the favourite for the Group 1 Sky Racing Perth Cup and new owner John Hutchison is eyeing an immediate profit after rolling the dice on an injury-plagued but high class sprinter.
That's the scenario after Victorian star Trooper Tears returned to his brilliant best at Cannington last Saturday night.
On debut at Cannington, Trooper Tears ($2.10F) led all-the-way from box four in a near-record 29.39sec, setting the qualifying standard in the eight ‘sudden death' Perth Cup heats.
The April '21 son of Goodesy and Freaky Tears was less than two lengths outside Campini's 520m track record of 29.26sec.
Trooper Tears was subsequently installed $2.50 pre-box draw favourite for Saturday night's Perth Cup Final.
The sizzling performance at his first start for John Hutchison, who's currently overseas, has the MGRA director and life member on the verge of snaring an almost immediate $200,000 return.
"I'd say it was pretty modest," Britton said of the purchase price.
"But it's one of those situations where if the dog holds up it's good value and if he doesn't hold up then it's not so good.
"As long as he can hold up for the next six months, you know you've got a dog that's capable of running in the big races.
"John has been one of my loyal owners for a long time. He was a silent partner in Fanta Bale.
"He's high-up in show dogs and is actually over in England at Crufts at the moment."
Trooper Tears was having only his second run since contesting a Melbourne Cup prelude on November 18, his lone other appearance in 2024 coming when fifth in an Australian Cup heat.
It was just his 13th start since defeating litter brother and kennelmate Trapper Tears, which has also been purchased by Hutchison, in the G3 Launching Pad Final almost 12 months ago.
"He's had some major problems," Britton explained.
"But the last two or three weeks he's been back to where I want him to be.
"He's had a cracked hock and a cracked ulna, which have probably cost him eight months.
"I trialled him at Cannington the Saturday before the heats and then left him over there.
"He trialled brilliantly – he ran 29.48sec, straight off the plane – so we knew he was going good.
"I was rapt with his run, but he's still going to need luck in the final because there's a lot of genuine speed in the race. He's one of probably five dogs that can run 5.40sec early."
Trooper Tears' performance wasn't missed by slot-holders for next month's Sandgroper, WA's richest greyhound race, offering a $300,000 winner's bounty.
"We have had a couple of inquiries and I would certainly love to see him in the race," Britton said of his Sandgroper aspirations.
The Britton family will have three Cup finalists, with Robert's brother Jeff claiming a heat double.
Mepunga Smokey (Barcia Bale x Mepunga Isla) was the second quickest qualifier, clocking 29.58sec, and G1 Silver Chief winner Mepunga Shine (Shima Shine x Mepunga Molly) posted 29.82sec.
The Britton brothers have a local edge, calling on the hospitality of their sister, WA training legend Linda Britton, a two-time Perth Cup winner via Wynlee Supreme (1992) and Bliss Bale (1999).
"I've had a lot of luck in the Galaxy but the Perth Cup hasn't been a good race for me," Robert said.
"I've taken some good dogs over for the heats, but I can't even remember having a finalist.
"Jeff's two heat winners went well too. Mepunga Smokey didn't trial at Cannington, so he should find a bit this week."
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