Maitland Greyhound Club has been inundated with trial requests from trainers as far as Queensland and Sydney as they prepare their young charges for the heats of the Ladbrokes Future Stars Maiden series this Thursday.
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The winner of the October 26 final will take home $7000, a rug and a trophy - a pretty good incentive considering a normal maiden race at Maitland is worth $830.
There’s also $2000 for the runner-up and $1500 for third.
Sydney husband and wife trainers Alan and Christine Proctor won this event with Master Gee in 2014 and performance trialled two youngsters - King Jeremy and Enhanced Power - at the track last Thursday.
While both finished second, punters would do well not to underestimate greyhounds trained by the Proctors as they will be well schooled on the Maitland track and primed for the heats on Thursday afternoon.
King Jeremy has now trialled three times at Maitland and improved with each run - 23.33s, 23.10s and 22.82s - so he could be one to watch.
Queensland trainer Steven Scott brought a bit of interstate rivalry into the series when he travelled more than 10 hours from Churchable, west of Brisbane, to performance trial Farmor Above last Thursday afternoon but left disappointed when the black dog struck interference and fell in the run to the first turn.
Richmond Vale trainer Jason Mackay looks well placed for the heats after Aston Duke (22.60s) and Zipping Zip (23.10s) won their respective performance trials.
Tarro trainer Clive Miller is also in the mix with Bottoms Up clocking 22.74s in its final hit-out before nominations for the series close at 9am Monday.
Big motor
Berkshire Park trainer George Borg has an impressive youngster in Ben Hur, a big dog with an even bigger motor.
The son of Luca Neveelk and Independent Lass made it fives wins from eight starts when he flashed home to win the Maitland Business Houses Final over 400m in a slick 22.32s last Thursday afternoon.
Punters sent Ben Hur out as the $2.10 favourite and he beat the Ray Lee-trained Who Ha with Nangar Dream third for Dennis Barnes.
Maitland District Leagues Club, The Sign Place, Hunter Cartridge Service and Hip Pocket Workwear sponsored the final and their representatives enjoyed a fun afternoon at the track.
Impressive win
Bishops Bridge trainer Col Kneeshaw was all smiles after his middle distance bitch Diddy Adora won in impressive style at Maitland last Thursday afternoon.
The daughter of Spring Gun and Diddy Rose made it back-to-back 565m wins at Maitland and saluted at big odds - $29.40.
Most had expected the well-credentialed Wentworth Park winner Red Four to take the honours but Diddy Adora had other ideas and flashed home to win by half a length in personal best 32.13s.
Well done Col and I hope there are more wins in store for Diddy Adora.