Husband and wife training team Alan and Christine Proctor know what it takes to win Maitland Greyhound Club's time-honoured Future Stars maiden series - a good dog, a good box draw and a lot of luck.
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They managed all that two years ago when Master Gee presented them with their first win in the prestigious series and this Thursday they return to Maitland with four first-time starters for a shot at the $7000 first prize.
They have Rosacky Blitz in race one, Sheez All That in race four, Sound Advice in race seven and Son Of Katie in race eight and they will be vying to be among the eight heat winners to progress to the final on Thursday, October 27.
Alan has high hopes for Sound Advice and Son Katie as both have drawn well with inside boxes but points out they are both up against some quality opposition.
Maitland Greyhound Club sponsorship and promotions manager Fred Robertson said punters should come along to the showground track on Thursday as there's a good chance this year's series will again unearth a star of the future.
Robertson said last year's winner Miss Foxy Lee went on to great success with a number of wins at Wentworth Park while Master Gee went on to amass more than $37,000 for his connections after winning in 2014.
Among the best performed youngsters to trial at Maitland in recent weeks in preparation for the series is the Jane Carruthers-trained Phil's Green, which has drawn box six in race seven.
The son of Barcia Bale and Clockwise set tongues wagging when he clocked a slick 22.47 seconds during a performance trial on October 6 - a performance that Robertson believes will make him the early favourite to win the series.
This year's Future Stars has attracted $10,500 prizemoney - $7000 for first, $2000 for second and $1500 for third - plus a trophy and rug for each placegetter thanks to joint sponsors Arthur Langman from the Commercial Painting Group and Kate Lord from Kankool Pet Food.
The first race on the 11-race program is at 3.44pm and the heats of the Future Stars are races one to eight.