Western Australian chaser Zelemar Fever stormed into the Macro Meats Sapphire Crown with a impressive all of the way victory in her heat of the $145,000 Group 1 feature.
The former Victorian pounced out of box one to lead from go to whoa, stopping the clock at 29.34 seconds to record the fastest heat win.
Trainer Linda Britton was delighted with Zelemar Fever’s performance, the run being her first at Sandown Park since early August last year.
“I didn’t feel the need to trial her as she has already raced here a bit earlier in her career,” said Britton.
Zelemar Fever is one of two finalists representing the Linda Britton kennel, with Te Amo making it a double for the West Australian trainer in the third heat of the night.
“I trialled Te Amo here last week because she had never seen the track before. She actually showed more strength in her trial than she did tonight, so she will be better for the run.”
The Britton family dominated the heats of the Sapphire Crown, with brothers Rob and Jeff combining with their sister Linda to win all four heats.
Amadeus Strikes advanced to the final for Rob after holding off Jeff’s Oakvale Destiny who stormed home to claim her spot in the final.
Oakvale Flyer also qualified for Jeff after holding off Prue Bale.
The Macro Meats Sapphire Crown is the world’s richest race restricted to female greyhounds, and is run in conjuction with the males’ only $145,000 Berwick Mazda Harrison-Dawson.
