By George Farrugia
As you scroll through past winners of the Group 2 Laurels, one thing becomes glaringly apparent – it is unquestionably one of the more noted honour rolls for female chasers in the world.
In 1989, West Australian-champ Sandi’s Me Mum upstaged locals to record one of her many feature race wins. Paua To Burn posted a new race record of 29.58 in her 2004 romp, while Up Hill Jill’s extraordinary race career sprung to life after her success four years ago.
But race performances from females on the famous list could arguably by overshadowed by their exploits in the breeding barn. The 2003 version of the Laurels is a near-perfect example. Dance Portrait narrowly edged out Leprechaun Yap in an enthralling version of the race, but their crowning glories would happen in the years following.
Leprechaun Yap is remembered as being the mother of champion female Betty’s Angel, who won the 2006 Melbourne Cup over sister Miss Mini Mouse (the only siblings to quinella the Cup). It was a year where she was crowned Brood of the Year. Not to be outdone, Dance Portrait – from her mating to champion Brett Lee – produced Meticulous, who defeated the best dogs in the country in the Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows in 2007.
It could explain why the race has been so sought after among owners and trainers alike. And this year’s version is full of quality pedigrees that will most likely have an impact on generations to come.
Race favourite and boom pup Immunity (Kc And All – Captivating) is an obvious place to start. She is the younger sister of one of the more popular queens of the sport – the recently-retired, two-time Group 1 winner Black Opium. Immunity’s heat win (in a Best of Day 29.18) highlighted her incredible blend of speed and strength. TAB has highlighted her dominance, installing the Jason Thompson-trained chaser as a $1.60 favourite.
The market is fair considering Immunity’s brilliance, but there are four other finalists under double-figure odds who could cause an upset. Two of those are sisters My Girl Kizzy and It’s My Party. Victory from either would mean training duo Jeff Britton and Angela Langton would become the only trainers in history to win three consecutive Laurels following Langton’s win with Circle Of Dreams in 2018 and Britton’s win in 2019 with Oakvale Beauty. My Girl Kizzy (Britton) and It’s My Party (Langton) also join the long line of blue bloods to qualify for a Laurels final, being by super young sire Mepunga Blazer (who Angela stands at her Anakie property) and prolific producer Mepunga Rosie.
Langton was full of praise of both sisters.
“They’re great females with outstanding temperaments, and the Mepunga Blazer litter has carried on Rosie’s success as a brood. We aren’t drawn too well on Thursday and we are up against a super young dog in Immunity, but we couldn’t be prouder of the both of them,” she added, before singing the praises of stud dog Mepunga Blazer.
“We are so pleased at the way he has started his stud career and we continue to get some great reports from the breakers for his next pups. He is throwing real chase and strength into his progeny, and his son Sunset Spitfire (a winner of 12 from 12 in WA) looks the real deal. It would be pretty special if we could win the Laurels with one of his girls.”
Her partner Jeff Britton also trained their dam, Mepunga Rosie, who took out the Group Listed Cup Night Stayers at Sandown Park before showing her prowess as a mother. So far from three litters to race, Rosie’s progeny have won well over 100 races and a tick under half a million dollars.
The 2020 group 2 Laurels will be run on Thursday 17th December.
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PAW NOTE: The Laurels is one of Sandown Park’s longest running feature races having been first run in 1964. Three Laurels winners – Winifred Bale, Paua To Burn and Sandi’s Me Mum – have been inducted into the Australian Hall Of Fame, while Cheltenham Lass was inducted into the Victorian Hall of Fame.
