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Greyhound racing fans are in for a special treat during April with the heats and final of the $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup kicking off on Thursday and Maitland to also host another four more Tuesday night meetings while Gosford is closed for track renovations.
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The Gold Cup is the premier event on Maitland’s racing calendar and there has already been strong interest from local, Sydney and interstate trainers in recent weeks.
Queensland trainer Darren Russell has brought all of his one-turn specialists to Maitland in the past two months in preparation for the event.
Sydney trainers Sam Sultana and Mark Gatt have also raced their kennel stars here in recent weeks and it will be interesting to see the make-up of the heats when the box draw is done on Tuesday morning.
Maitland track specialist Wild Walter is among the top local hopes after an impressive 24.96 seconds win over the 450 metre Gold Cup journey at Maitland last Thursday afternoon.
The Terry Priest-trained son of Magic Sprite and Takeover Teddy led throughout from box four to win the Morpeth Bulls Junior Rugby League Club Cup - his 16th win from 42 starts.
Wild Walter had no luck in the heats of the Golden Easter Egg and the Ultra Sense at Wentworth Park in recent weeks but ran a gallant race to finish second in the $40,000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes Derby Final over 535m at Richmond on March 9.
Owner John Beattie is a regular at the Maitland track to cheer on his kennel star and Wild Walter needs only a bit of luck in running this Thursday to take his place in the final on April 12.
Bulls kick-start season
The inaugural Morpeth Bulls Junior Rugby League Club Cup meeting proved a huge success with the club raising several thousand dollars to kick-start its footy season.
More than 50 parents and players were at the showground track for an afternoon of racing and hospitality and the highlight of the day was when the young Bulls players and their parents were invited trackside to present a trophy and pat Wild Walter, the winner of the Morpeth Bulls JRLC Cup.
The players and parents also had their photograph taken with Wild Walter, trainer Terry Priest and owner John Beattie and Morpeth Bulls JRLC race day organisers Luke and Samantha Blakemore said the Bulls had enjoyed themselves immensely and would definitely like to make the fundraiser an annual event.
The club was able to raise several thousand dollars through entry ticket sales, race name sponsorships and special promotions on the day.
The Bulls were the first group to sign up for the new fundraiser package that is now on offer to all community and sporting groups in the area.
Tuesday nights meets at Maitland
Maitland will host another four Tuesday night meetings for Gosford - April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
The Evans Street gates at Maitland Showground will open from 5pm and racing usually starts just after 7pm with TAB, canteen and bar facilities available.