Astute Tatura trainer Max “Jimmy” Auld turned 72 on Thursday and he’s hoping to add some ‘fizz’ to the celebrations when talented young sprinters Soda Success and Soda Titan chase back-to-back victories at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Auld’s duo set The Meadows alight last weekend.
Youngster Soda Success (Fernando Bale x Sweet About Lola), which doesn’t two turn until March, secured just the second win of his nine-start career with a scorching 29.75sec victory, romping home by 13 lengths.
The superbly-bred Soda Titan (Barcia Bale x Maja Mahi Mahi) continued his spectacular recent form when shaded for Best Of Night honours by his younger kennelmate, clocking 29.77sec.
“Soda Titan didn’t surprise me but Soda Success did. He’d always showed me ability but not that sort of ability!”
It was Soda Titan’s eighth win from his last 10 starts and 13th from 26 overall.
“They both went super,” said Auld.
“Soda Titan didn’t surprise me but the pup (Soda Success) did. He’d always showed me ability but not that sort of ability!
“His 5.18sec early is a worry of a worry but he ran home in 11.90sec and if you’re breaking 12 you’re going well.
“If they can do it both ends you’ve got a champion and I’ve been in the game 50 years and haven’t seen too many of them!
“Ability-wise, there wouldn’t be a lot between them. Soda Titan has a bit of age on Soda Success and Soda Success isn’t as quick early but he’s very strong.”
WATCH: Youngster Soda Success (8) scorched around The Meadows last Saturday in a flying BON 29.75sec, romping home by a gobsmacking 13 lengths.
Soda Success (Race 3 at 7.20pm) and Soda Titan (Race 5 at 8.01pm) are both warm favourites for their respective events on Saturday, with TAB marking them at $1.55 and $2.25.
Auld isn’t concerned about Soda Success drawing Box 4 but says a wide alley in Box 7 for Soda Titan in the $12,000 to-the-winner Grade 5 final isn’t ideal.
“Soda Success would be the better chance, in my opinion,” Auld said.
“If Soda Titan had drawn one, two or three I would’ve declared him, but from Box 7 at The Meadows he’s going to need a bit of luck in the first 50 or 60 metres. If he gets it he’ll be hard to beat.
“I don’t think Soda Success is drawn too badly because the dogs on either side of him, ‘the white’ (Ishmy Ruby) and ‘the yellow’ (Jye’s Jet), don’t have a lot of early pace.
“I haven’t got anything planned for Soda Success, but if Soda Titan can keep his momentum going, I’ll probably have a go at the Australian Cup.
“Early on, Soda Titan was giving me plenty of problems. He did a lot of things wrong and was awful in a field but then all of a sudden the penny dropped and he hasn’t looked back.”
With just a handful of greyhounds in work, last weekend’s airborne Meadows double is testament to veteran conditioner Auld.
“I’ve only got five in work; I’m semi-retired now and only do it for a hobby,” he offered.
“I’ve got another young dog called Perfect Lomar that won well at Shepparton on Monday (25.12sec). She’s won four from eight now.”
Soda Titan in full flight at Sandown Park on Melbourne Cup night.
