It was a case of second time lucky in a feature final in the month of August for Weblec Ace on Saturday when Jeff Britton’s exciting youngster was an all-the-way winner of the Group 3 Cranbourne Classic Final (520m).
Earlier in the month, Weblec Ace was the fastest qualifier for the Group 3 Warragul St. Leger and the well-bred son of Kinloch Brae and Weblec Rose, started $2.50 favourite from box one in the final but could only finish sixth to kennelmate Mepunga Daniel.
Weblec Ace once again set the pace in the heats of the $25,000 to-the-winner Cranbourne Classic when clocking a best of night 29.92s on debut at the track and after drawing box three he was sent out at $2.60.
As was the case in the Warragul St. Leger, Anakie-based Jeff Britton supplied half the field, with Weblec Ace joined by litter brother Weblec Jack ($7.30), Mister Harlewood ($9.90) and Spearhead ($12.50), while Angela Langton, Britton’s partner, lined up Black Signature ($9.70).
While Weblec Ace wasn’t able to take advantage of the rails alley at Warragul, he came out running from box three to quickly take control at Cranbourne and after opening up a handy break down the back he held off the fast-finishing Get It Gizmo ($5.80).
Weblec Ace defeated Get It Gizmo by .87 of a length in another best of night performance of 30.15s, continuing the promising start to his career with his eighth win from 14 starts.
“When you’re the fastest heat winner you just want them to do everything right,” said Jeff Britton.
“He got out well and had a clear run.
“He probably came out well at Warragul too but Get It Gizmo just pinged and Curt Lee came across and they all jammed up.
“It was a pretty heavy track on Saturday – it started raining the race before – and running in the middle of the track might have been better too.
“He was lucky enough to hold off the second dog (Get It Gizmo) but it was a big run and the locals told me Weblec Ace’s run would’ve been a 29.80s run on a fast track.”
The victory gave the Britton family back-to-back Cranbourne Classic successes, with Jeff’s brother Robert having won the event in 2018 with Slingshot Hammer.
Jeff Britton is now attempting a juggling act with both the Group 3 South Australian Derby and Million Dollar Chase on the agenda for Weblec Ace.
“It’s very hard to know what to do; I’m trying to work it out at the moment,” Britton explained.
“He’s got South Australian owners so he’s going to the Derby but we’ve got to have a crack at the Million Dollar race because he’s good enough. There’s a big difference between a million dollars and $25,000 for the Derby!”
Jeff Britton also trained Weblec Ace’s mother Weblec Rose and her multiple Group-winning litter sister Weblec Belle.
Britton produced another talented ‘Weblec’ youngster at Sandown Park on Sunday afternoon, when Weblec Diamond, a daughter of Barcia Bale and Weblec Belle, was a dominant 29.60s best of meeting winner, her third win from four starts.
“She’s had a season and had a very limited preparation so it was good to see her run 29.60s,” Britton said of Weblec Diamond.
WATCH: Weblec Ace defeats Get It Gizmo in the Cranbourne Classic.
