Britton Realistic Ahead Of Warrnambool Cup Test

TRAINER Jeff Britton isn't prepared to concede Wednesday night's Warrnambool Cup (450m) to Shima Shine but admits the Group 2 showpiece is his race to lose.

Last week eight cutthroat heats were run and won where Shima Shine was the star of the show, the two-time Group 1 winner thundering into the final with a near record 24.76 heat victory, the time just half-a-length outside Unlawful Entry's 24.71 track record.

And while Shima Shine is the $1.85 favourite to secure a second country cup title, lurking ominously is Jeff Britton's duo of Do It and Mepunga Warrior, each impressive heat winners in their own right last Thursday.

"On paper it really does look Shima Shine's race to lose but if he misses the start and finds some trouble we're in with a chance," Britton said.

"And I'm a big believer that inside and outside boxes are an advantage at Warrnambool so box one is a plus for Do It. Being realistic the 450m is a bit short for Mepunga Warrior and he has box six.

"He's a fast dog but he'll need luck you'd think."

Britton is no stranger to Shima Shine. In fact, he sees quite a bit of him.

When the superstar son of Barcia Bale began stud duties a few months ago it would be at Britton's Anakie property where he would be collected by Norm Jessup.

"Tom (Dailly) would drop him here in the morning to get collected so I've seen a bit of him in the past few months or so," Britton said.

"In fact myself and James Shaw have put our bitch Slinky Inky to him. When they're as good a chaser and as fast as he is it's impossible not to. So we've got some pups by him on the way and we're racing him Wednesday which is a bit different."

Wednesday night's Warrnambool Cup will be Do It's first assignment at Group level.

Winner at nine of his 26 starts, the son of Fernando Bale – who was first reserve for the Group 1 Silver Chief and National Derby – qualified for the final with a fast finishing 25.16 win over red hot favourite Ferdinand Boy.

Mepunga Warrior – also a son of Fernando Bale – progressed through with a 25.03 triumph over a gallant Tiggerlong Tonk.

"I was surprised Do It ran down Ferdinand Boy the way he's going but my bloke is a very good dog," Britton said.

"He's a bit off time wise but box one brings him into the race but we really are relying on the favourite making a mistake. 

"If the pink (Yozo Bale) can make a race of it early then it might open things up.

"Had Mepunga Warrior drawn the one I'd be saying he's the better of my chances but in these big races box draws mean everything.”

* Pic courtesy Bluestream Pictures