Future Star Will Have A Lot To Live Up To

THE winner of next week's Ladbrokes-sponsored Future Stars Final (400m) at Maitland has quite a bit to live up to.

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In 2017, Sky Wave took out the 400 metre maiden feature for trainer Vic Sultana in a fast 22.35. Still racing, the daughter of Don't Knocka Him has won 24 races and finished third to Mystic Riot in last year's inaugural Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park.

Last year's Maitland Future Stars was won in commanding fashion by the Frank Hurst-trained Good Odds Harada in a sublime 22.25, with the son of Collision of course front and centre for Friday night's TAB Million Dollar Chase Final.

So there's a bit to live up to for the class of 2019 when four heats of the maiden feature are run and won this Thursday afternoon.

Interestingly, Frank and Tracey Hurst return to Maitland for the $7,000 to-the-winner series after winning last year with Good Odds Harada. The Londonderry couple line up five superbly bred youngsters in the qualifiers.

The opening heat sees Hurst's immaculately bred first starter Good Odds Diana take her place from box two.

Around the $2.15 in early markets, the daughter of Collision and Good Odds Angel comes into this off a slick 22.73 Richmond performance trial effort where she scooted through the first split in a sizzling 8.10.

Zipping Donato – a 36 kilo son of My Bro Fabio and Zipping Midge – looks well drawn wide (6) for Michelle Sultana while the other major player in betting is Donna Dolphin for Charlie Lamb. The daughter of Dyna Double One is stepping out for her second race start after finishing last after injuring herself on debut back in April.

Like the first heat, betting sees Londonderry trainers Frank Hurst and Michelle Sultana atop of the markets for the second qualifier.

Hurst rugs up another Collision x Good Odds Angel pup in Good Odds Calvin from box six, while Sultana has drawn box three with slick 22.76 Richmond trial winner Drink Beer.

Early betting has the pair at even money take your pick, making for a spirited betting spectacle in the lead up to the race.

The third semi-final will see Jody and Michael Manuel unearth Chevy's Midnight for his maiden debut.

Bred in the purple by Collision out of prolific winning producer Cop A Sling, Chevy's Midnight makes his debut off two slick recent trials at Maitland, stepping out for the first time at close to 2 ½ years of age.

The Hursts are well represented in heat three also, with Good Odds Armani debuting from box one, while Winking Nick steps out from four after going down when well supported on debut at Richmond on Saturday night.

The final heat looks to be the most open, with Drink Shoeys installed early favourite from box five on the strength of a 22.55 Bulli 400 metre trial last month for Michelle Sultana.

My Sapphire, who finished runner-up in two Coonamble maidens at the October carnival, looks a leading contender from box six, while Hari Brann, in the placings at each of her six race starts, looks a leading chance for Tony Atkins as well.

Some very talented youngsters will strut their stuff for the first time at Maitland on Thursday afternoon with the first race to get underway at 3.57pm.