Can Korda End Britton's Sandown Cup Hoodoo?

THE Britton/Langton juggernaut takes aim at Group 1 glory again on Friday night when Korda and Osprey Athena run in the rich Sandown Cup final (715m).

For Jeff, Korda gives him the chance to shake off a Sandown Cup hoodoo that has stalked him since 2009.

In that time he has had five finalists chasing the Cup.

They were: Mepunga Ruby (7th in 2022), Tyler Durden (3rd in 2021), True Detective (2nd in 2020), Mepunga Tiara (3rd in 2014) and Lady Moscato (3rd in 2009).

Korda (Mepunga Blazer-Mepunga Molly) is raced by Angela and her mother Sue Smith.

He goes into the Cup out of box four after beating Zipping Orlando in his heat.

“It was a fabulous run by him in the heat,” said Angela.

‘Korda' claims victory

KORDA overpowered #The715 winner ZIPPING ORLANDO in the fourth heat of the Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #SandownCup at @sandowndogs.

KORDA finished third in November's Group 1 #BoldTrease Final.
#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/i94W94T2O0

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) May 19, 2023

“Remember, Zipping Orlando was coming off winning a half million dollar race (The 715 at The Gardens).

“In fact, I thought it was his best run to date.”

Korda has won 17 of 51 starts and he has proven himself a fine stayer, now at the peak of his powers.

He has been second in the G3 Albion Park Gold Cup, third in the G1 Bold Trease, a finalist in the G1 Association Cup, G1 Super Stayers and G1 Zoom Top.

“He's been a work in progress,” said Angela. “But he has hit his peak and he is much stronger now.”

Angela and her mum Sue owns Osprey Athena (Barcia Bale-Mepunga Rosie) the winner of eight of her 27 starts and only now embarking on a staying career.

“She'd had a couple of 600s going into last week's heat,” said Angela.

“We thought she would lead the heat so for her to get back into the race and run second (to Dirt Farmer) was a great effort.

“She is a very, very good bitch who has had a few niggling problems like a hock injury, but if she stays sound and gets stronger, she will be a nice stayer in the future.”

"OSPREY ATHENA is running them ragged."
? Dayne Barry

OSPREY ATHENA was victorious by almost 11 lengths at @MelbourneGreys in her third successive win.

Make sure you include OSPREY ATHENA in your Watchdog Blackbook ?#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/uVmCks9BOi

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) January 4, 2023

Angela is hoping the kennel's two finalists don't negate themselves early.

“Korda likes to stay in the middle of the track early so we will be hoping Osprey Athena gets across him early,” she said.

Plans are for the Britton/Langton kennel to head to Queensland for the riches on offer during the Winter Carnival.

“Korda and Osprey Athena will both likely go to Albion Park for the Queensland Cup,” she said.

“Korda loves Albion Park and he is such a good traveller.

“But, so is Osprey Athena who is as cool as a cucumber.”