The Taylor Family Clarence Valley Sheds Maiden Classic at Grafton is renowned for unearthing potential stars but tonight's Heats are brimming with more talent than ever.
The Maiden Classic Heats kick off the July Carnival at Grafton which sees participants and fans from across NSW and Queensland descend on the Northern Rivers town for two weeks of high quality racing.
Local clockers at Grafton are claiming this year’s Maiden Classic will be the hardest in history to win given the greyhounds competing.
Yorklea trainer Kieth Anderson leads the chances with his boom unraced youngster Sudoku Bullet, who has box four in Heat one.
Sudoku Bullet has won two trials leading into the Heats, including a 25-length win in a time just outside of the existing track record.
“Sudoku Bullet has always been fast but I have been saving him up for four months waiting for this race,” Anderson said.
Heat six of the Maiden Classic looms as the strongest of the 10 Heats with Spare Cash (box two), Roger's In Town (three), Tahlia's Way (four) and Muddy Paws (eight) possessing outstanding talent.
Muddy Paws is owned and trained by Allan Lang who raced Paw Licking, holder of five track records and winner of five Group races.
“Muddy Paws is a son of Paw Licking and while not as good as him he is pretty smart and is well drawn in box eight,” Lang said.
Toni and Charlie Northfield, who bred Paw Licking and sold that greyhound as a puppy, own and train Spare Cash, a daughter of Paw Licking.
“Spare Cash is the best of our four entries and although a bit tardy for the first few strides she goes like a rocket when she gets wound up,” Charlie Northfield said.
Queensland trainer Greg Brennan, meanwhile, has a big opinion of Biwott, who clocked a blistering 22.88 in a 407m performance trial at Grafton, winning by 10 lengths.
“Biwott, who has box six in Heat nine, is very good but is not fast early and Piecost, who has box three, is pretty smart,” Brennan said.
Leading western districts trainer Dennis Barnes will be represented by Little Nangar (box one, Heat one), Nangar Bear (box six, Heat two), Nangar Range (box four, Heat three) and Nangar Rock (box one, Heat nine), with Little Nangar and Nangar Bear having recorded scorching trials.
Monday night’s eight fastest Heat winners will go into the final of the $18,500 series on July 13, with the two slowest Heat winners acting as reserves.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
