Ebby Infrared Hopes To Master Goulburn Cup

MICHAEL Eberand can't wait for his grand campaigner Ebby Infrared to reach “Masters age”, but in the meantime he has a Group 3 Goulburn Cup to win.

Ebby Infrared (Aussie Infrared-Lonesome Knight) has drawn box four in a heat of the Goulburn Cup (440m) on Sunday and comes up against stars like resuming Wow and grand campaigner Winlock On Top.

The veteran of 104 race starts, Ebby Infrared has won 42 and been placed 36 times for stakes of $186,000 and along the way has been a star Group performer.

“He just loves to race,” Eberand said. “I can't wait for him to be eligible for Masters races.”

Eberand said Ebby Infrared is on his road back to his peak.

FIELDS AND FORM GOULBURN SUNDAY

“Back about eight weeks ago he beat Good Odds Cash at Bulli and he was right at his peak,” he said. “Then he strained stomach muscles which set him back.

“He's back now and his win at Maitland at his latest start was good. He's getting back to where he was.”

Eberand is well aware of the looming presence of Wow in the heat.

“It's a Group race so the heats are always going to be tough,” he said. “They put these races on for the best dogs. But Wow is resuming from injury and I'm not aware of how he's been going since he came back into work.

“Obviously he's the one to beat.”

Eberand has no plans to retire Ebby Infrared despite clocking up 104 starts to date.

“As I said, he loves racing and he will keep going as long as he wants to,” he said. “He's got a huge Facebook following as the ice cream dog, his treat on the way home from racing.”

Eberand reports he has retired Ebby Jet Power (Fernando Bale-Ebby Miss) to stud and he will be available for a fee of $1100.

The winner of 26 races and $153,000 in stakes, he won the Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup, was placed in the Group 3 Bob Payne Sprint and a finalist in the Group 1 Vic Peters, Group 2 Black Top and Group 3 Xmas Gift.

“He is a half-brother to Aussie Infrared, the sire of Ebby Infrared, and we believe he could be an alternative to Aussie for breeders,” Eberand said.

“He won 14 times at Wentworth Park where he ran super times.”

Aussie Infrared continues to be in huge demand with broodbitch owners.

“He has 32 litters racing, six Group dogs and has Catch The Thief at stud already and there is no doubt Zipping Kyrgios will be a stud dog as well,” said Michael.

“He had 15 bitches in his first year at stud, 18 in the second but by the third year he had 43 and those pups are just at education now.

“This year he has had 63 bitches.

“He's very popular and that's why we have decided to make his half brother available at stud.”