Mepunga Reward’s remarkable comeback story reached its crowning moment on Saturday night at The Meadows, charging home to win the Group 1 Sportsbet Temlee (525m) in one of the most memorable finishes the race has seen.
Less than a year ago, trainer Jeff Britton wasn’t even sure the talented chaser would make it back to the track after sustaining a break to his hock.
An eight-month stint on the sidelines followed, casting real doubt over the future of one of his kennels stars.
Fast forward to now, and Mepunga Reward has completed one of the great returns – contesting six Group races since his comeback and breaking through for his first Group 1 victory in the Temlee.
“It’s been a long ride with him, and we’ve had so many highs and lows, but I love this dog and I love the way he races,” Britton said.
“He is one of the best chasers I have ever had. The way he runs through fields and finds a way in good company is second to none.”
In a thrilling finish, Mepunga Reward produced a powerful late surge to run down Melbourne Cup winner Canya Mayhem, with Dashing Slay finishing third.
Handler Craig Solkhon was overcome with emotion in the moments after the win, paying tribute to both the dog and the team behind his return.
“He had to work his backside off tonight – this dog is an absolute marvel,” Solkhon said.
“The work that Jeff has put in to get him back to the track is incredible.”
A son of the late Fernando Bale out of Mepunga Isa, Mepunga Reward was bred and is owned at Mepunga by Hall of Fame breeder Barry Smith – a partnership Britton is proud to be part of.
“I can’t thank Barry Smith enough for how he breeds,” Britton said.
“Barry is a common-sense person, and we love working alongside him.”
Saturday night’s victory took Mepunga Reward’s career record to 20 wins from 43 starts and pushed his earnings beyond $350,000, a fitting reward for a dog who has shown extraordinary resilience.
There will be little time to celebrate, however, with Mepunga Reward now set to line up alongside the rest of the Temlee field in next week’s semi-finals of the Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup, again over 525 metres at The Meadows.
