2014 Group Two WA Oaks Heats Review – Britton’s Blitz
Victorian trainer Jeff Britton dominated favouritism in the 2014 WA Oaks heats, starting with the short priced favourite in three of the four heats. The $5,500 to the winner heats resulted in first and second making it through to the $40,000 Group Two bitch restricted event.
In the first heat of the night Jeff Britton's Oakvale Flyer started $2.35 favourite, with fellow Victorian trainer Steve Collins' bitch Liara Allen paying $3.60 to win from the red rug. As the lids flew open and the bunny shot past, Liara Allen (box one) showed plenty of early pace. Replica Queen for WA trainer Steve Withers wasn't as lucky, failing to unleash her usual easy speed out of the boxes. Elyce Rhian (box 7) checked with Lady Golden Paw (Box 4) soon after the start but showed great early drive to find the front, whilst Replica Queen (box 8) went amiss heading into the first bend, leaving her at the back of the field for the rest of the race. Liara Allen (box 1) sat on the rails and waited for Elyce Rhian to tire and there was no stopping the fawn bitch Liara Allen, as she went past the 530 metre boxes into the straight, winning by three lengths in 30.57 over Elyce Rhian.
The second heat of the night saw favouritism fall in the hands of Mepunga Hayley (box two). At box-rise the field jumped in an even line with Wy Yung Bundy (box three) taking the lead heading into the first bend while favourite Mepunga Hayley was squeezed out to second last. Free Candy (box seven) took the lead with ease as she field flew past the 700 metre boxes. It was only a matter of by how much the Steve Withers' chaser would win by, stopping the clock at 30.54 by 9.75 lengths over a hard working Mepunga Hayley.
Chica Destacada (box seven) broke a Jeff Britton dominated favouritism in the third heat of the night paying $2.25 for the win before the start. Mepunga Moss (box three) and Gone To Heaven (box four) lead the field by a small margin out of the boxes and the pair stretched their lead to two lengths as they went past the catching pen. Favourite Chica Destacada (box seven) sat behind Gone To Heaven as she slowly began to make ground on the leaders. A tiring Gone To Heaven was an easy target for Chica Destacada, but Mepunga Moss was too far in front, taking out the race in a time of 30.60 by 1.25 lengths.
The last heat of the night saw the Jeff Britton trained Oakvale Destiny (box six) backed into $1.60 favouritism. Oakvale Destiny made her usual tardy start, with Wing It (box four) not far behind her out of the boxes. This ensured the blue bitch had plenty of ground to make up. Kerry Spice (box seven) used the lack of early box speed on her inside to her advantage as she crossed to sit in first position as the field headed into the first turn. Linda Britton's Angel's Chorus stayed on the rails avoiding trouble to slot into second position. Oakvale Destiny begin to make ground taking the lead before the 700 metre boxes, winning by 4 lengths over Angel's Chorus in a time of 30.59.
With the talent filled heats run and the box draw named there are a number of classy bitches that need respect come box-rise next week. Free Candy looks to be WA's best chance to claim the Oaks after qualifying in the fastest time of 30.54. Steve Withers' chaser has drawn box two in the final, which should work to her advantage if she chooses to jump like she did on Saturday night. Liara Allen also looks hard to beat after qualifying the fastest tim of the visiting bitches and Oakvale Destiny will look to extend her unbeaten record at Cannington with great help from box one.
The box drawn for the Group Two WA Oaks is as follows;
1) Oakvale Destiny Jeff Britton
2) Free Candy Steve Withers
3) Angel's Chorus Linda Britton
4) Mepunga Hayley Jeff Britton
5) Chica Destacada Doreen Drynan
6) Elyce Rhian Joe Daily
7) Liara Allen Steve Collins
8) Mepunga Moss Jeff Britton
9) Gone To Heaven Linda Britton
10) Oakvale Flyer Jeff Britton