Brett In Box Seat For Fourth Lismore Maiden Success

THE powerful Steve Williams/Tony Brett combination has taken on the Ladbrokes Maiden series at Lismore twice before and won it both times with Velocity Zoe and Skilled.

And their third attempt with youngster Milligan (Keybow-Velocity Charm) is heading in the same direction.

Milligan drew the rails in his heat on Tuesday night and scored brilliantly as the $1.40 favourite in a flying 23.81.

And just as importantly he has come up with the coveted rails draw in next week's rich final.

Brett, who has also won the series with G1 winner Fast Times, was the right man in the right place at the right time when Williams went looking for trainers for the litter after education.

Milligan was the fastest heat winner (and the #BON performance) in the @Ladbrokes Maiden Series last night at Lismore, and he'll jump from Box 1 again in the Final next week.

Is he your top pick?

Full Results: https://t.co/Ctley0ygnL#thedogs #greyhoundracing @Ceement pic.twitter.com/tC7QQWnoek

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) December 14, 2021

“Peter Wilson trained the mother, Velocity Charm, to run second to Hasten Slowly in the Group 3 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park,” said Steve.

“I always like to give the trainer who had the mother first option when she has a litter.

“One of the bitches broke in sensational, so Peter naturally picked her, but she has now been on season twice since he got her.

“Milligan broke in average and I offered him to Tony Brett who said he had a spot in the kennel and took him.”

Brett is wrapped in the dog.

“Tony says he has a lovely nature, been a nice dog all the way along, does everything right,” said Steve.

“He's a nice pup and we are both confident he will get 500 metres in the future.”

Williams decided to wait until he saw what potential Velocity Charm's litter by Keybow showed before mating her again.

“She's been on season since she had that litter but I let her go,” he said. “I'll have to start looking at a mate for her when she comes on next.”

Milligan wore down early leader, Aaron Newstead's Hyperdrive, to win by a half-length in the heat.

Other Maiden heats went to Noaki Cruise for Keith Boan in 24.01, Ruthless Runner for Stefan Keep in 24.37, Convict for John Watts in 24.09, and Cool Red for Bob Arnold in 23.94.

Ladbrokes Maiden Final (in box draw order): 1 Milligan, 2 Noaki Cruise, 3 Hyperdrive, 4 Cool Red, 5 Convict, 6 Ruthless Runner, 7 Lightning Comet, 8 Bonbon Fire. Res: 9 Impresario, 10 Miss Sequence.