Astute Tatura trainer Jimmy Auld fears box seven could bring the perfect start to Pure Quality’s career to a shuddering halt at The Meadows.
Pure Quality, which won’t turn two until late August, has lived up to his optimistic moniker in winning his first two starts at The Meadows in brilliant fashion, taking out heat and final of a maiden series in 29.91s and 30.10s respectively.
WATCH: Pure Quality win the Maiden Final at The Meadows last week from box two.
The home-bred son of super sire Barcia Bale will return to The Meadows, where he dominates TAB’s market on race 2, a grade 6 event over 525m, at $1.50.
However, Auld, who trains the exciting prospect in partnership with wife Tanya and is also in the ownership syndicate, has cautioned punters about taking the short quote.
“He’s showing potential but he’s only nineteen months old so he’s still a baby,” said Auld.
“I really don’t know how he’s going to handle box seven
“His first split is his worst split and the first corner at The Meadows is not a place you want to be caught wide.
“There’s more depth in this field and to be honest it would surprise me if he won. He’s going to need a lot of luck.
“He’s still learning and the only way for them to learn is by racing.”
Auld believes that in time the best of Pure Quality could well be seen over longer journeys than the sprint assignment.
The undefeated youngster’s pedigree and Auld’s experience with the breed backs that up, with Pure Quality’s dam, Ireland’s Force, a litter sister to Seeking Justice, which was also trained by the Aulds and won the Group 1 Galaxy (715m) in Perth in 2016.
“In six months’ time I think he could be a very handy dog and I really expect that he’ll get over more ground,” Auld said.
“He’s owned by a syndicate of three, including me. We bred him, whelped him down, reared him and broke him in. The first time he trialled at The Meadows he ran 29.90s, so I thought he would do something like he’s done.
“The rest of the litter didn’t break in quite as well and they’re down in Tasmania.
“One of them, Mystic Tale, which is with Eileen Thomas, won her only start and looked like she was about to hit her straps but then they stopped racing down there.”
