Scene Set For Epic Maturity Classic Series

AUSTRALIA'S brightest young stars will be on show at The Meadows this Saturday night with eight heats of the KCR Transport Maturity Classic (525m) set down for decision.

Featuring the hottest age-restricted gallopers in the land, the $100,000 to-the-winner series is headlined by three-time group 1 winner Simon Told Helen, drawn to go around from box four in heat five for trainer David Burnett.

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With eight heats assembled, spots in next week's finale will be at a premium, with only the winners progressing through to the group 1 blockbuster.

The opening heat sees last weekend's Vic Peters hero Playlist step out from box one for trainer Matt Clark, the same draw he negotiated for his epic group 1 win at Wentworth Park.

Making for a terrific opening qualifier, Australian Cup finalist Aston Cade takes his place also, as do ultra-talented performers Junk Food Junkie and Zambora Lion.

Heat two will see WA Derby hero Catch The Thief step out from box three as all the rage while the third qualifier promises to be a tantalizing clash between McKenna Memorial winner Christo Bale and Kel Greenough's proven top grade performer You Tell Me.

In what could well prove to be the race of the night, heat four sees Tiggerlong Tonk and Who Told Stevie drawn alongside each other in boxes four and five respectively.

Considered two of the leading chances for the time-honoured series, only one will progress through to the final if in fact they get the better of a top field of sprinters this Saturday night.

Simon Told Helen will take his place at rock bottom odds in heat five following his remarkable 24.50 post-to-post trial at The Meadows on Monday.

Living right up to his standing as pre-post series favourite, the son of Barcia Bale showed he was on song for a second group 1 title at The Meadows following his Silver Chief triumph in January.

Shepparton Cup winner Hard Style Rico lines up in heat six, looking to continue his outstanding form at The Meadows.

Winner at five of his eight starts with a personal best time of 29.63 at the circuit, the star conveyance will start a short priced favourite for his heat, as will Warrnambool Cup winner Zambora Smokey in heat seven.

Drawn box eight for his debut appearance at The Meadows, the Jason Thompson-trained star tackles hugely talented chaser Jax Bale in another mouth watering match-up.

The final heat will see Kel Greenough's crowd pleaser Houdini Boy line-up from box two in what's one of the more open heats, featuring Lots of Chatter and NSW star Ebby Infrared.

If Saturday night's heats go somewhere near to script, next week's decider has all the ingredients to be a ripping affair, with the sport's most exciting sprinters vying for the $100,000 winner's cheque.