Quality Over Quantity In Maitland Cup Heats

TRACK record holder La Grand Quality is perfectly placed to progress to next week's Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup Final (450m) after drawing ideally in box eight for the second of three heats this Thursday.

Unbeaten in five starts at the Maitland circuit, including a track record run over the 450 metres of 24.59, the Darryl Thomas-trained son of El Grand Senor recently capped off his Maitland Cup preparations with a slick 22.04 400 metre win at the circuit.

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In a mouthwatering second heat, La Grand Quality, winner of the Warragul Cup in January, tackles the Jason Mackay-trained Turbo Thomas, the TAB consecutive wins record holder unbeaten in 12 appearances at the Maitland circuit.

The first of the cup heats this Thursday will see Michael Eberand's Ebby Infrared start favourite from the inside alley, the son of Aussie Infrared out to emulate the deeds of his sire which took out the 2017 Maitland Cup Final in dazzling fashion.

Qualifier one boasts some quality performers, including Aston Sapporo for Jason Mackay and talented Queenslander Common Ground, the Warren Nicholls-trained bitch far from disgraced with fourth behind Turbo Thomas at her Maitland debut last Thursday.

Throw in classy sprinter Knight's Page, the hugely talented Smooth Act, and well boxed sprinter Mottza, and it's expected that sparks will fly in the opening heat of the $40,000 to-the-winner series.

Betting for the third and final heat will be dominated by National Futurity star Zipping Veyron, winner of her last six on end, and Maitland specialist Bill Bath, the son of My Bro Fabio winning six of his 12 starts at the track with another five placings.