By GRV’s Gerard Guthrie
Master trainer Robert Britton’s affinity with the renowned ‘Tears’ line continues unabated, with litter brothers Trooper Tears and Trapper Tears running the quinella in the $220,000 Group 3 Launching Pad Final (515m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
Britton has enjoyed phenomenal success with the ‘Tears’ dynasty, most notably with champion stayer Tornado Tears, ‘uncle’ of Trooper Tears and Trapper Tears.
Prior to embarking on his legendary distance career, Tornado Tears ran fifth in the 2018 Launching Pad Final.
NSW-based breeder and co-owner Michael Ivers described the one/two finish with the April ’21 Goodesy x Freaky Tears siblings as one of his greatest thrills in the sport.
“That was just out of this world,” said a delighted Ivers.
“It’s one of the biggest thrills I’ve ever had. Massive. Over the top!
“When it’s fresh in your mind, you reckon they’re all the best. Every time you win a big race – going back to Tornado Tears and Space Star – it’s special. They’re all special and I never become complacent.”
After a scorching 29.01sec semi-final victory, Trooper Tears (box 2) started a warm $2.60 favourite in the $150,000 to-the-winner final, while Trapper Tears (box 7) was a generous $13.30.
The brothers were in the second half of the field going into the back straight, but as the leaders packed up, Trooper Tears swept to the front approaching the home turn and careered away, defeating Trapper Tears by three lengths in 29.61sec.
“He showed the other side of his card today,” handler Peter Riley told Sandown’s Jason Adams.
“Found trouble early. That was probably one of the worst starts he’s ever had for us. Just the strength and determination and will to win. He reminds me a lot of Fanta Bale. She just wanted to win and he’s in the same mould.”
It was Trooper Tears’ seventh win from 12 starts, with his five defeats all seconds.
The result was a reversal from the Launching Pad Qualifier Final on March 16 when Trapper Tears prevailed in a flying 29.17sec.
“I thought they were both gone,” Ivers said.
“Trooper Tears is a very nice dog. When they get over a bit more ground, Trapper Tears might have the edge, but who knows?”
While basking in the glow of another homegrown feature race success, Ivers ominously revealed he will unveil an even quicker littermate in the near future.
“Everyone says they have a better one at home, but we do!” he said.
“He’s a machine. His name is Like Wildfire. There’s no point trying to hide him; everyone knows about him. He just has freakish ability. He trialled 29.40sec at Wentworth Park on a dead track last week.
“It’s a very good litter. Goodesy has produced a few really good dogs, but he was sold to China when he was only four or five years old and we never saw the best of him here.
“I absolutely love Fernando Bale, but where do you go with his bitches?”
The other feature races on Launching Pad night went to:
$37,250 Group 3 Easter Gift (515m) – MEPUNGA WARRIOR (T: Jeff Britton)
$36,500 Launching Pad Consolation (515m) – MAKE NO PROMISE (T: Paul Bartolo)
$22,000 Launching Pad Runway (515m) – BIG ENERGY (T: Jackie Greenough)
