It was billed as the battle of the heats of the Group 2 Husqvarna Maitland Gold Cup, and while sometimes reality doesn’t match the hype, it wasn’t the case this time.
The clash between La Grand Quality and Turbo Thomas had patrons on their feet, as it lived up to the billing, with the pair matching strides down the Maitland straight on Thursday evening before the track record holder got the better of his rivals, drawing away for a one length win.
La Grand Quality - who has now won four from four at Maitland – clocked 24.74s, the fastest of the three heats, but a few lengths adrift of his track record of 24.56s set back in October, but he did it without any favours.
Jumping off the eight, Darryl Thomas’ dog was fourth early, before moving into second on the top turn ready to stalk the leader, Turbo Thomas.
He moved alongside the leader halfway down the straight and the pair matched strides before La Grand Quality was able to pull away for the win.
“It was a cracking run and we’re very happy,” Thomas said. “He’s just a superstar in my eyes and I’m just happy for him to go around next week and hopefully run a good race.”
Asked about the time not being as quick as his track record, Thomas said: “He made a few errors but we’re just happy to get through. We’re not too worried about time tonight. Time only matters in jail.”
For Turbo Thomas it was his first defeat at Maitland in 13 outings, but despite that his 24.81s performance was the fastest he has ever gone at the track. A spot in the final also went to Been Around who was 6½ lengths back in third.
National Derby finalist and Bulli Gold Cup placegetter, Ebby Infrared, now has a shot to do what his father did three years and win Maitland’s major feature event, after an impressive heat win.
Back in 2017, Aussie Infrared led from the first turn to win the Maitland Gold Cup, one of 22 wins in his 37 win career.
His son used his box one draw to perfection on Thursday night pushing up to hold the fence and lead, and staving off a very determining Mottza to win by ¾ length in 25.03s, with the consistent Knight’s Page running on for third a further three lengths away.
The final heat was robbed of it’s star attraction, National Futurity winner Zipping Veyron who has a late scratching after injuring herself in her yard on the afternoon of the race.
In her absence the punters jumped aboard another Bulli Gold Cup finalist, Bill Bath and the Peter Mattress sprinter didn’t disappoint, jumping straight to the lead from box four, and never looking like being headed, clocking 24.81s in winning the heat by five lengths from Fire On Ice.
“It’s fantastic,” Mattress said. “He just did everything right. I was so happy with him. He flew out of the boxes.
“It’s a great honour to be going through to that final.”
Bill Bath proved again his love of the Maitland track, he has now won his past three starts at the circuit, including an all the way, 24.80s performance.
“He loves Maitland. He’s won a few on the trot now. He just keep producing.”
The box draw for the Husqvarna Maitland Gold Cup Final is: 1 La Grand Quality 2 Bill Bath 3 Fire On Ice 4 Mottza 5 Ebby Infrared 6 Turbo Thomas 7 Knight’s Page 8 Been Around 9 Blue Jillem 10 Midnight Waltz..
