Future Stars winner Little Black Joe sold the night before victory

Jaeger was all smiles when he stepped out on the track to receive the winner’s trophy, rug and $7000 first prize on Thursday afternoon but later revealed he was a little disappointed that owner Anthony Gannon had sold the black dog for an undisclosed amount the night before the final.

Jaeger had huge wraps on the son of Hurricane Luke and Maggies A Legend after impressive trial form at Maitland and Richmond and the black dog showed his class with a powerful finish to win the 400 metre Future Stars final in 22.56 seconds.

His time in the final wasn’t as slick as his heat win of 22.34s, but Little Black Joe had to work hard.

He managed to peg back early leader Tiny Terror before going on to win by three lengths from the Les Hudson-trained Black Jack Opal with the Cheryl Betts-trained Tiny Terror third.

The finishing order for the final saw Sound Advice fourth for Christine Proctor, the Debbie Flint-trained Comatose was fifth, Ahh Big George was six for Nathan Goodwin, While Magic Opal seventh for Helen rimmer and White Simba eighth for Margaret Bright.

Maitland Greyhound Club sponsorship and promotions manager Fred Robertson said it was an exciting series and believes we’ll see Little Black Joe go on to to win many more races, just like previous Future Stars winners.

A big thank you to Arthur Langman and Kate Lord for their support in helping make this one of the richest maiden series in the state.

After a couple of minor placing in top-class company at Maitland in recent weeks Navigator Jack finally broke through for a well-deserved win for South Maitland trainer Anne Foley in the Maitland Monthly Medal final on Thursday.

Navigator Jack began well from box five and shadowed the early leaders until the home turn where he unleashed his now customary withering burst to win by three lengths in a best-of-night 25.06 seconds for the 450m.

The son of Spring Gun and Key Exit went on to beat the Rick Burke-trained Spirited Quality with the Precious Quality, also from the Rick Burke kennels, third.

Foley was all smiles after the race as the Monthly Medal carried an extra $1200 from the Ladbrokes jackpot, taking first prize to $2900.

Fred Robertson continues to be a good judge of greyhounds. Robertson’s best bet of the day Still Good got home in the 10^th race and paid $1.80 for the win.

Racing returns to Maitland this Thursday with heats of the East Maitland Business Houses series over 450m for fourth and fifth grade.