Can Ebby Emulate Aussie In Maitland Cup?

EBBY Infrared will be out to emulate the deeds of his sire Aussie Infrared when he steps out in next Thursday night's Husqvarna sponsored Maitland Gold Cup Final (450m).

Enjoying a spectacular start to his career, winning 15 of his 33 starts, Ebby Infrared secured his Maitland Cup place with a determined three-quarter length heat victory over Mottza on Thursday night in 25.03.

The National Derby finalist has drawn box five in his quest to follow in his father's footsteps, Aussie Infrared a spectacular winner of the Maitland Cup in 2017.

On a night of fantastic racing, three heats of the $40,000 to-the-winner group 2 showpiece were run and won with track record holder La Grand Quality setting the pace for the final with a classy 24.74 victory for Darryl Thomas.

Making it six from six at the Maitland circuit, La Grand Quality ran down courageous tearaway leader Turbo Thomas in the latter stages of the epic contest, scoring by a length at the finish.

La Grand Quality, winner of the group 2 Warragul Cup in January, has drawn box one for next week's final, while Turbo Thomas will exit box six.

Thursday night's third and final heat went the way of Bill Bath for Peter Mattress, the son of My Bro Fabio leading all the way in 24.81.

The race was robbed of plenty of star power late Thursday afternoon following the withdrawal of National Futurity winner Zipping Veyron with injury.

Finishing second to Bill Bath was Fire On Ice for Mark Moroney, the recent Richmond Oaks finalist set to exit box three in next week's final.

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.