Sawyers Gully trainer Darryl Thomas believes La Grand Quality is the only greyhound which can improve in the Maitland Gold Cup (450m) final next week despite a stunning run to win his heat on Thursday night.
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La Grand Quality jumped well from box eight in heat two of three but was then checked and left well behind Jason Mackay-trained star Turbo Thomas, which burst to the lead from four.
However, La Grand Quality wore down Turbo Thomas around the bend and took over close to home to win by a length in a run his trainer described as "ridiculous".
"Not many can give Turbo Thomas, who's had 12 starts for 12 wins on that track, four lengths and run away to beat him," Thomas said.
Thomas had another win when La Grand Quality drew box one for the group 2 final next Thursday night.
"I think it's a great box for him in this race," he said.
"It's a cracking field. It's probably one of the better Maitland Cups and there's a lot of speed in the centre.
"Anything can happen and I don't think any dog can afford to make a mistake, especially mine. But out of all the dogs, I think he's probably the only one who can improve, because he got things wrong and I know he can run faster, and he will definitely be fitter. But he's still got to do everything right."
La Grand Quality (24.74 seconds) clocked the fastest heat win but it was well short of his track record of 24.56.
The 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.
