Britton Clean Sweeps Victorian Sprint Finals

TRAINER Jeff Britton celebrated a clean sweep of the Victorian National Sprint and Distance Championships at The Meadows on Thursday night.

The leading conditioner landed the Distance title with Hank The Hustler before scoring with Mr. Fix It in the Sprint decider a race later. 

Hank The Hustler ushered in his 50th race appearance in fantastic fashion, defeating a gallant Drako Bale to claim the $12,000-to-the-winner finale by a length in 42.72.

The victory continued the son of Fernando Bale's sensational record at The Meadows which included a recent victory in the Group 3 Destini Fireball (725m).

And it was another Fernando Bale to the fore in the National Sprint final with Mr. Fix It leading in all-the-way fashion for Britton in a sharp 29.98.

Now a winner at 12 of his 20 starts at The Meadows, Mr. Fix It, a recent third in the Group 1 Maturity Classic, downed race favourite Aston Rupee by 1 ¼ lengths.

It was another slow beginning that put paid to Aston Rupee's winning chances, his effort to finish second full of merit for trainer Glenn Rounds.

Sadly the ongoing Covid-19 crisis which is gripping the country resulted in the Group 1 National Sprint and Distance Grand Finals being shelved for the second straight year.

The $75,000-to-the-winner races were to be run and won at The Meadows in a fortnight.

Had they proceeded Britton's Victorian title winners would have no doubt been front and centre given their outstanding records at track.

But they'll need to settle for Thursday night's stirring state wins and the bragging rights that come with it.