TALENTED three-year-old pacer Saab Quality made the most of a good barrier draw to demolish a handy field of C0 performers over 1609 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last Sunday night.
It made it back-to-back wins for the Ian Swain-trained gelding that has suffered from bad draws for much of the season.
Saab Quality showed blistering gate speed from barrier four and once in front, driver Gareth Rattray ensured a solid pace.
When Rattray called on the gelding for the supreme effort in the home straight he responded magnificently and went on to score by almost four metres from the fast-finishing Ashkalini with Iden Justasmyrk a close-up third.
Swain said Saab Quality has developed into a strong pacer.
“The horse is much stronger this season and of late he has benefitted from better barrier draws,” Swain said.
“This win was terrific because he finished off strong,” he said.
Saab Quality showed above average ability from the outset of his racing career but a mishap in the spelling paddock in December last year gave connections a scare.
“We gave him time to recover (from the leg injury) and he shows virtually no side effects after he races,” he said.
Connections are hoping Saab Quality can measure up to some of the better quality races in December.