Pure Grunt powers to QBRED Triad glory

Pure Grunt (Vincent) lived up to his name with a powerhouse harness racing performance in the Group 1 QBRED Triad Final for 3YO Colts & Geldings at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Trained by Donny Smith and driven by Angus Garrard, the colt showed his customary gate speed to lead throughout from barrier one and win by a short half-head from James Alfred who dived right on the line. Back in third place was Bite The Ear Mike, a stablemate to James Alfred.

After recording a lead time of 36.5, the speed would increase with opening splits of 28.9 and 28.1. Garrard then allowed the colt to roll down the back in a 27.4 third quarter before then running home in 27.9 seconds.

PURE GRUNT 22 AUG REPLAY

Pure Grunt was the $4.40 second favourite. Race favourite Fire And Passion disappointed after racing outside of the winner and dropping off to finish seventh, beaten 16.2m as the $1.50 favourite.

Saturday’s victory was special for Garrard. Nicknamed “The Kid,” the 23-year-old reinsman drove his first Group 1 winner of his career. He has already driven more than 1,100 winners, a remarkable feat at such a young age.

Heading into the event, Pure Grunt was the most experienced runner in the field; this was his 31st start and victory in the $153,000 final was the 11th of his career.

Donny Smith is the third trainer of the colt, who started his career with Darrell Standen before transferring to Keith McDeed after three starts. McDeed prepared him for the 2025 Qbred Triad Final as a 2YO, in which he finished third behind Fire And Passion and James Alfred.

Since joining Smith, Pure Grunt has won back-to-back starts, including his heat of the QBRED Trial where he won by a comfortable 6.4m margin.

For complete race results, click here.

By Trent Orwin for Harnesslink