Hancock On Track For Third Lismore Maiden Title

TRAINER Frank Hancock has made a habit of being at the pointy end of Lismore's Ladbrokes Gold Maiden series and it's a trend that's set to continue next Tuesday.

The Spring Grove conditioner boasts two previous wins in the $20,000-to-the-winner feature, guiding Laverne to victory in 2014 before Battistuzzi Miss scored in emphatic fashion a year later.

And next Tuesday Hancock will take the two fastest qualifiers into the Christmas feature after Colby scored decisively on Tuesday night in 24.01 while Pike set the time standard in a slick 23.96.

"I haven't won it for a few years now so surely it's my turn again," Hancock quipped.

"It's a race I always try to target if things fall into place and I've been lucky enough to have some success along the way with some nice young ones."

Next Tuesday night's finale will see Colby looking to emulate the deeds of his mother Laverne, winner of the series in 2014, when he steps out from box five.

An all-the-way winner of his heat from box one, Colby was having his third race start following two midfield finishes back in June.

"He was trialling well when I kicked him off in June but he was far too immature," Hancock said.

"So I just turned him out in a paddock and let him grow up. I didn't do a thing with him for months. He was only 18 months when he started and even though he's still not totally there now he's a lot better.

“But you could tell last night he just wanted to be back at the races.”

While Colby has drawn box five for next week's rich decider his kennelmate Pike didn't fair any better drawing box seven.

"We've had no luck with the draws but that's the way it goes," Hancock said.

"Colby has more early speed than Pike but Pike is the stronger of the two.

"I've been holding Pike back for this series … he's been breaking the 24 seconds in trials at Lismore regularly."

A son Melbourne Cup winner Ando's Mac and Benne Fortuna, Pike ripped away with Tuesday night's final heat in 23.96.

"I bred and raced his mum Benna Fortuna but gave her to Steve Lockhart to breed with," Hancock said.

"The deal was I got a pup from the litter which is this bloke. The litter is going very good. I think we'll see the best of this dog when he gets up over 500."

Heat one on Tuesday night was won by Kulu Miracle which downed Kulu Honey in the final stride in 24.49.

Kulu Edge took out heat three for John Clarson in 24.30 while Butterfly Kisses took out the remaining qualifier in 24.41.

Leading Queensland trainer Tony Brett has qualified Orchestrate for the finale, Brett no stranger to success in the race winning with Fast Times in 2016 in track record time.

Box Draw: Ladbrokes Maiden Final (420m)

1. Pat's Angel
2. Kulu Zac
3. Butterfly Kisses
4. Kulu Edge
5. Colby
6. Orchestrate
7. Pike
8. Kulu Miracle

9. Kulu Honey
10. Miss Kenny