Smith On Verge Of Maitland Cup Jackpot

PREMIER trainer Dave Smith will endeavour on Friday to scratch Got The Feature from the Temora Cup Consolation after the dog on Thursday won his way into the Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup final.

Got The Feature is one of the four Fernando Bale progeny to win heats of the Cup on Thursday.

He ran 25.06 to down Clock Off by a length and three quarters as the $2.20 favourite.

“It was the run of the day,” said Dave Smith.

“He was held up early and then drifted back but got home great to win.”

Got The Feature has drawn the rails in the Temora Cup Consolation on Sunday and Smith said he would approach stewards on Friday to scratch the dog.

“He will be running against a super field at Temora for $3200 to the winner but at Maitland, in a race he can win, he will be running for $40,000,” said Smith.

"I thought it was a terrific run"@orch3 caught up with Dave Smith who was very pleased with Got The Feature's brave win in East Maitland Bowling Club Gold Cup Heat 1!#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/4pxRYT0W8Z

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 9, 2023

Got The Feature's place in the Temora Cup Consolation was automatic after the heats. Trainers did not need to nominate.

The son of Fernando Bale-Sheez My Chicki has started 25 times for 10 wins and earned $42,000.

“I have purposely headed him to Maitland since he was a maiden for a series of feature races,” said Dave.

The dog has won seven of his past nine.

“The final at Maitland is a very even race,” said Dave. “There is nothing between any of the finalists.

“I'll bet everyone with a runner thinks they have a great chance of winning.”

He was amazed at the quality of the heats at Temora.

“And that final looks made for She's A Pearl off the two box with a dog desperate to get wide drawn immediately outside her.”

Here's the box draw for the East Maitland Bowling Club Gold Cup next Friday!

Who do you like?#thedogs #GreyhoundRacing @ladbrokescomau @tabcomau @sportsbetcomau @TopSport_com_au @NedsAus @BlueBetAu @PalmerbetAU pic.twitter.com/WifmrzLJUT

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 9, 2023

Other heats of the Maitland Cup went to:

Vamoose for Susan Smith in 24.96 beating Coonamble Kid by a neck.

Len Me Dad in 25.02 for Ruth Matic over Can't Handle It by three and a half lengths.

And, Len Me Dad's littermate Peace Keeper also for Ruth Matic in 25.00 beating Impress Dressel by three and three quarters.

Maitland Gold Cup Final (in box draw order): 1 Vamoose, Len Me Dad, 3 Got The Feature, 4 Can't Handle It, 5 Clock Off, 6 Impress Dressel, 7 Peace Keeper, 8 Coonamble Kid. Res: 9 Scramjet, 10 Orana Dan.