La Grand Quality has a reputation for being a box eight specialist but trainer Darryl Thomas is "very happy'' to see his Warragul Cup winner drawn on the rails for next Thursday's group 2 Husqvarna Maitland Gold Cup final.
La Grand Quality came from fifth early to run down the Jason MACKAY-trained Turbo Thomas in last Thursday's second heat, covering the 450m in 24.74s, fastest time of the series.
The Peter Mattress-trained Bill Bath led throughout to win heat three in a slick 24.81s while Ebby Infrared prevailed after a neck-and-neck duel with Mottza from the first turn to win heat one in 25.03.
"It looked as if La Grand Quality missed the kick in his heat but from behind the boxes I could see he seemed to jump okay but wanted to crash towards the fence,'' trainer Darryl Thomas said.
"People think he wants box eight because he likes to go around his rivals, but La Grand Quality will take an inside run if he needs to.
"I'm very happy with box one because La Grand Quality had box one on two occasions at Bulli early in his career and each time he speared out of the boxes two lengths in front.
"He did not win those Bulli races but had issues then and is a different dog now.''
Jason MACKAY will be banking on Turbo Thomas "nailing'' the start again after his brilliant front-runner drew box six in the final.
"Turbo Thomas went one-and-a-half lengths quicker than anything else to the first mark in the Cup heats so if he comes out like that again, and he usually does, they are going to have to catch him,'' MACKAY said.
"Turbo Thomas is no star but he is wonderfully consistent and turns up every week.
"I couldn't ask for more than that.''
The vastly under-rated Bill Bath's 24.81s was second fastest Maitland Cup heat time and trainer Peter Mattress is pleased to see him in box two in the final.
"Bill Bath jumped smartly from box four in his heat and he seems to begin better when he draws an even numbered box and is placed in with the second lot of dogs,'' Mattress said.
"Obviously we had a bit of luck in the heats because Jason MACKAY's greyhound Zipping Veyron, who had box six, was a scratching and that took a lot of pressure off Bill Bath.
"But my dog did every thing right, which is what you have to do in big races.
"His overall time was only .07sec slower than La Grand Quality's figures while Bill Bath's second section equalled the time recorded by Turbo Thomas who made the pace to that point in heat two.''
Mottza has a tricky box four final draw but his co-trainer, 21-year-old Jackson Chaker, said: "I am really looking forward to this race.
"When I trialled Mottza at Maitland before the heats he slipped on the mat in front of the boxes and went awful.
"He grew a leg in his Cup heat and I reckon he is capable of improving in the final.
"Mottza pulled up well after last Thursday's race and it was no disgrace to be narrowly beaten by Ebby Infrared.
"After all, Ebby Infrared finished third to Pindari Express in the Bulli Gold Cup final, and Pindari Express is on another level, he is a super dog.''
