Eberand Sees Red For Bulli Gold Cup Decider

EBBY Infrared’s rampaging 26.08 Bulli Gold Cup heat win on Saturday night didn’t surprise his breeder-owner-trainer Michael Eberand in the slightest.

EBBY Infrared's rampaging 26.08 Bulli Gold Cup heat win on Saturday night didn't surprise his breeder-owner-trainer Michael Eberand in the slightest.

What did surprise him though is the fact it took the hugely talented son of Aussie Infrared six runs to breakthrough at the spacious south coast circuit.

"When I started racing him I thought Bulli was going to suit him down to the ground but so far he's gone a lot better at Maitland," said Eberand.

On Saturday night, Ebby Infrared made it win 14 from 31 starts with a best of meeting 26.08 heat success, carving out 9.95 early to defeat Bill Bath by 1 ¾ lengths.

"It's that second section though where he really goes – he went 19.41 on Saturday night and that's just flying," Eberand added.

"He got to the line okay and if he finds a length off that run and leads then they've got to run him down."

Eberand's hopes of securing Saturday night's rich $40,000 first prize were heightened at the box draw when his star charge drew the prized one alley for the group 2 showpiece.

And when you consider Ebby Infrared will turn two years of age on Saturday, you'd be forgiven for thinking that things are aligning perfectly for the Group 1 National Derby finalist.

"He's still only young but he's shown me right from the start he had the makings to be a more than handy dog," Eberand said.

"It's mainly his attitude; he's a very keen and aggressive chaser … in a lot of ways he reminds me of his dad Aussie Infrared and the way he raced."

Following Saturday night's Bulli Gold Cup, Eberand will in all likelihood plot a Richmond Derby-Maitland Cup course with his prodigious talent.

"If he could win the Maitland Cup like his old man Aussie (Infrared) did that'd be something … he loves Maitland," added Eberand.

Eberand stands Aussie Infrared at stud for $1,650, the son of Bella Infrared and Ebby Miss enjoying a terrific start to his flourishing stud career.

"I couldn't be happier with how his early progeny are going," said Eberand.

"He's only had a handful of litters racing but there's some very nice pups running some quick times. Especially in Victoria and from what I'm hearing there's a lot more to come."

If Ebby Infrared is to win Saturday night's Bulli Gold Cup he'll need to withstand some sizable opposition.

Defending champion Pindari Express has drawn box six, the same draw he negotiated to power home and win last year's finale in emphatic fashion.

His run to finish half-a-length second to 26.17 heat winner Turbo Thomas on Saturday night was sensational, with both the winner and runner-up going into this weekend's final with huge claims.

Remaining heat victor Tennessee Tiger came right into calculations for the final at Saturday night's box draw, the Mark Gatt-trained 26.18 winner drawing ideally out in box eight.

BOX DRAW – Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup Final (472m)

Saturday, February 22

1. EBBY INFRARED
2. BILL BATH
3. TURBO THOMAS
4. CAVIAR QUALITY
5. BURNING FUEL
6. PINDARI EXPRESS
7. LOW FLYING CROW
8. TENNESSEE TIGER







 

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