Interstate greyhounds hold a strong hand in 2023 Group 3 SA Oaks
Angle Park greyhound racing track will host the Group 3 SA Oaks and SA Derby finals on Thursday night.
The $25,000 to-the-winner 2023 Group 3 SA Oaks promises to be a showdown featuring a diverse lineup of talented young local and interstate greyhounds.
In last week's heats, Tasmanian bitch Wynburn Honey, trained by Ben Englund, showed her dominance with a victory in 30.85.
She'll face competition from Where's Poppy, who secured a win for local trainer Kirin Corby in the heat, running 30.96.
Another local contender to keep an eye on is Zipping Mahalia, under the guidance of trainer Nicole Price.
Despite facing some obstacles and finishing third in her heat due to trouble, Price remains optimistic about Zipping Mahalia's chances.
“She ran alright, but she just didn't get a run.
“She totally screwed up the start,” Price said.
Victorian trainer Jeff Britton will again hold the key to the race, with three greyhounds qualifying for the final.
Jeff Britton will start Mepunga Surprise from the coveted one box, Purified from box three, and Weblec Jewel from box six.
Greyhound betting apps have priced Mepunga Surprise as the +170 favourite, ahead of Where's Poppy at +250, Wynburn Honey at +300, Purified at +650, Purified at +850, and Zipping Mahalia at +900.
Britton, who always targets the SA classic races, has won the SA Oaks four times, with Mepunga Spark in 1999, Mepunga Nicky in 2011, Oakvale Destiny in 2014, and Pepper Fire in 2016.
“Over time, Adelaide has been great to me,” Britton said.
Britton expects Mepunga Surpise to be very hard to beat from box one.
“She's my best chance in the Oaks by a mile.
“She's never drawn box one in her life, and I expect her to improve a lot.
“Barring trouble, I think she'll be very hard to beat,” he said.
Mepunga Surprise's two most recent wins were over the Ballarat 660m trip, so the Victorian can be assured of finishing over the top of whatever can lead her from box one.