Ebby Infrared, runner-up in the 2020 Maitland Gold Cup and minor placegetter in last year's Bulli Gold Cup, will be set for the same big track country events in the coming months.
Ebby Infrared's trainer Michael Eberand, enthusiastic about his dog's tenacious win in last Saturday night's Paws Of Thunder consolation, The Collerson, said: "The Bulli Gold Cup final is on February 20 and the Maitland Cup is on April 15.
"He goes really well on both tracks and last year won his heat of the Bulli Cup in 26.08, fastest time of the night, before finishing third to Pindari Express in the final.
"Then in the Maitland Cup Ebby Infrared won his heat again, beating Mottza, before finishing second to that dog, beaten two lengths, in the final.''
David Taylor, who shares ownership of Ebby Infrared with the trainer's wife, Tanya Eberand, was elated with their dog's Wentworth Park win last Saturday.
"Four years ago I was privileged to be the handler of Barking Bad when he won The Collerson for Michael Eberand, but this time it went to another level for me because I have a share in Ebby Infrared.
"Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions I could not be at Wenty as I was for Barking Bad, but Ebby Infrared's win still gave me a tremendous thrill.''
SERIOUS Object's great second behind Zipping Moose in Saturday night's final of the group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby had Lithgow trainer Paul Roach wondering "what might have been.''
Roach's super talented youngster Road Spike was beaten by SERIOUS Object in a tight finish a heat of the Derby on January 15, and almost certainly would have won had he chased tenaciously.
Road Spike was slowly away but railed through to be second, four lengths behind pacemaker SERIOUS Object, on the back straight.
After "picking up'' SERIOUS Object effortlessly, Road Spike was still alongside Jodie Lord's Derby final runner-up as the dogs passed the winning post, with race caller Tim Newbold plumping for SERIOUS Object but remarking "this is almost a dead-heat.''
Later stewards sidelined Road Spike from racing for 28 days for failing to pursue the lure keenly, and the dog needs to be cleared in a trial before resuming his career on the track.
"Several people have since phoned me about sending Road Spike to NEW ZEALAND, where it is believed the finish-on lure can increase a dog's keenness,'' Roach said.
"But that will only happen as an absolute last resort because Bruce Gentle, who owns Road Spike, wants him to race here.
"I intend to work the dog along up my straight track and possibly put him in a Sunday meeting Richmond race where the finish-on lure is used.
"Big problem with that option is that they rarely have a 535m race at Richmond on a Sunday, and Road Spike is not a 330m or 400m dog.
"The 400m trip would be a slightly better distance for him but I dislike bend starts so at the moment I am in a quandary.''
Considering SERIOUS Object finished third to Flying Ricciardo in a heat of the group 1 Dapto Megastar before chasing Zipping Moose home in the Derby at Wentworth Park - after running into the back of that dog at the first turn - Road Spike's ability is unquestionably mind-boggling.
Let's just hope trainer Paul Roach and owner Bruce Gentle can "find the key'' to this remarkably talented but enigmatic chaser.
