By Gerard Guthrie, Greyhound Recorder.

Veteran marvel Mepunga Reward will lead a ‘band of brothers’ into action, as Victorian trainer Jeff Britton launches a tri-state feature assault this week.

Making a stunning return to the track, Mepunga Reward will make an overdue debut at Wentworth Park on Thursday night, blazing the trail for younger full brothers Mepunga Envy, Mepunga Spirit, Mepunga Turbo and Mepunga Smokey.

Mepunga Reward, who will turn five next April, is targeting the heats of the lucrative Masters Meteor (520m), worth $50,000 to-the-winner.

When Mepunga Reward, a son of the great Fernando Bale and Mepunga Isla, bred by Greyhound Racing Victoria Hall of Famer Barry Smith, won the G3 Brisbane Cup Consolation in July, it appeared likely he would head into retirement and a future at stud.

“I’ve never said he was retired, I just thought I’ll let it play along and see how we go,” Jeff Britton explained.

“He’s getting on to four-and-a-half now and I didn’t think he’d be going this well.

“He’s been serving a few bitches and I didn’t want to mix it up too much but I have been working the dog.

“I decided to see how he trialled and he went 22.29 around Geelong. I put some other good dogs around too and they went in the 22.40s.

“I knew this race (Masters Meteor) was coming up, so I thought I’ll just take him to Wentworth Park and give him a trial.

“I put him against Weblec Joel, who had just won a Free For All at The Meadows, and Mepunga Reward beat him by six lengths and went 29.41 first look.”

Barnstorming winner of the G1 Temlee in February, Mepunga Reward was the headline act in the Mepunga Isla’s first mating with Fernando Bale.

But the other two to race were topliners as well; 2025 G1 Australian Cup heroine Mepunga Tully, and Tully Luna, a three-time G1 finalist.

In his wisdom, Barry Smith’s bold decision to return to Fernando Bale with Mepunga Isla (Cosmic Rumble x Mepunga Rosie) has proven to be a masterstroke – you wouldn’t find many better advertisements for repeat matings.

Only turning two in August, the litter has already combined for 53 wins and counting.

The litter includes Radar O’Reilly, 10 wins and runner-up in the G3 SA Derby, Mepunga Envy, nine wins from 21 starts, Mepunga Summit and Mepunga Whiskey, both seven wins, and six-time winner Mepunga Turbo.

On Friday night at Angle Park, 30.31 heat winner Mepunga Envy (box 4) and Mepunga Spirit (box 5) will line up in the G1 Adelaide Cup final (530m), marked at $12 and $26, respectively.

Also on Friday night, Mepunga Smokey will take his place in the semi-finals of the Million Dollar Chase after finishing second in a city qualifier last Saturday night.

Then on Saturday night at The Meadows, Mepunga Turbo (box 3) will contest the semi-finals of the G3 Great Chase.

Mepunga Turbo served notice of his talent when clocking a blistering 29.12 at Sandown Park two starts back, elevating him to second place on the G3 Shootout leaderboard, behind only superstar Wrongly Accused (29.10).

Mepunga Turbo defeats talent Like A Rock at Sandown last month in a time of 29.11 seconds over the 515m.

“Mepunga Isla has just been a freak,” Britton said.

“I don’t know what the record for (Victorian) metropolitan winners in a year is, but she won it with 21 last year and she’s up to 39 this year.

“Her second Fernando Bale litter is just starting to mature now.

“Mepunga Turbo is probably the fastest and he’s very strong, and Mepunga Envy is probably next best.

“There’s actually a third (Fernando Bale x Mepunga Isla) litter on the way too, It was bred by John Galea and Barry (Smith) is breaking them in at the moment and said they’re flying too!”