TRAINER Jeff Britton has ended his Sandown Cup hoodoo after Korda landed the group 1 staying showpiece in spectacular fashion at Sandown Park on Friday night.
In a race that delivered many twists and turns, it was Korda that stood tallest at the end of the 715 metre journey, claiming the $175,000 winner's purse by a half-length in 41.83.
In a battle of the brothers, it was Jeff Britton's Korda which staved off a late bid for victory by Robert Britton's First Picked in the drive to the line.
Korda's group 1 triumph ended what had been a run of frustrating outs for Britton in Victoria's number one staying event, landing the race at his sixth time of trying.
Including in his five previous attempts were four placings.
Korda, a son of new and hugely underrated sire Mepunga Blazer, is out of Mepunga Molly and raced by Angela Langton and her mother Sue Smith.
The big striding chaser has really blossomed since stepping up to the staying journey which launched with an eye-catching third in the Group 1 Bold Trease Final at Sandown last November.
Six months on and the 13-time winner is now the finished package as a stayer with a trip to Queensland for the lucrative winter staying riches well and truly on the cards.
"It's a race I've never won, and Jeff hadn't won either," Angela Langton told Sky Racing's Jason Adams.
"To win it with a dog we own as well… It's really a super win. Yeah, very exciting.
"We've got great staff at home that help us, and the dogs are going really well. We've had a great night.
"He's getting that little bit older and he's putting it together, and for a stayer he's a really hard chaser.
"He gives 100 per cent every time he starts; and he begins, which is the beauty with him.
"Jeff wasn't well tonight, so he stayed home. Hopefully he's feeling a little bit better tomorrow."
