Future Stars Take Centre Stage

JODIE and Andy Lord will take an embarrassment of riches into Thursday's Ladbrokes Future Stars Final (400m) at Maitland, lining up half the field for the $7,000 to-the-winner event.

Won last year by top NSW sprinter Sky Wave, a courageous third in Saturday night's Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park, this year's Future Stars finale has brought together a terrific crop of juvenile gallopers, each looking destined for bigger and better things.

Setting the pace for Thursday's decider is Jodie Lord's Bland Purr, the daughter of Let It Develop and Naawy Naawy simply outstanding when taking out the sixth heat by 7 ¾ lengths in a dashing 22.18.

Incredibly the first chaser to face the starter by Group 1 winning sire Let It Develop, Bland Purr will exit box two in Thursday's final for owner Peter Spiteri, who is being rewarded for pinning his faith in his start galloper at stud.

Second fastest to qualify for Thursday's final is Alan Proctor's Chevy Thor, the son of Fabregas and Wee Chevy giving nothing else a look in when a comprehensive 7 ½ length heat victor in 22.28.

From a litter that now boasts 10 wins from the 19 starts to begin their careers, Chevy Thor will leave trap five come Thursday, drawn to the outside of 22.49 heat winner Blueberry (Go Wild Teddy x Sheike) for trainer Lorraine Atchison.

On an afternoon of terrific racing, other heats were annexed by Embossed (Jodie Lord) in 22.55, Famous Lee (Jodie Lord) in 22.40, Athletic Lee (Jodie Lord) in 22.42, and Good Odds Harada (Frank Hurst) in 22.37.

The fastest second from the heats was Emgrand Park for trainer Peter Azzopardi, taking the final spot in what promises to be a ripper final.