Drink Shoeys Sets Future Stars Time Standard

DRINK Shoeys – a younger half-brother to Friday night's Masters Meteor finalist Drink Schooners – was a brilliant debut winner in a heat of the Maitland Future Stars (400m) on Thursday afternoon.

As detailed in the Recorder in the lead up to Thursday's heats, this year's Future Stars winner has lofty heights to reach, with the last two series' going the way of outstanding sprinters Sky Wave and Good Odds Harada.

Sky Wave finished third in the inaugural Million Dollar Chase last year, while Good Odds Harada is of course one of the major players for Friday night's $1 million to-the-winner decider.

Four heats of the $7,000 to-the-winner Future Stars were run and won on Thursday at Maitland with the time standard clearly set by the Michelle Sultana-trained Drink Shoeys, posting an electrifying 22.36.

Showing tremendous speed from box five, the son of Sh Avatar and Silver Bullet defeated Hari Brann by four lengths, running right up to his dashing 22.55 Bulli performance trial.

Heat one was taken out by outsider Shadow Chief for Ray Aslin, the 35 kilo son of Barcia Bale running down leader and race favourite Good Odds Diana to score by 1 ¼ lengths in 22.84.

The second qualifier went to the Tony Atkins-trained Georgie Brann in 22.97, defeating Little Miss Aria by 1 ¾ lengths.

Heat three saw Frank and Tracey Hurst go one-two with Good Odds Armani, a noted drifter in betting from box one, defeating Winking Nick, who was an eye-catching second, in 22.91.

On times, Drink Shoeys looks to have a vice-like grip on next Thursday's final, set to exit box six for the $7,000 to-the-winner feature.

It may well prove to be a big few days for connections with Drink Schooners one of the leading chances for Friday night's $100,000 to-the-winner Masters Meteor Final at Wentworth Park.