By TERRY WILSON

If nothing else, the upcoming Ladbrokes Maitland Future Stars Maiden has definitely lived up to its name.
In particular this comes through the efforts of Good Odds Harada, the striking brindle dog that won the 2018 Maiden before finding international fame as the winner of the second Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park last year.
He was a future star in the making, that is for sure.
The annual Maiden (400m) this year is worth $10,000 to the winner and overall prizemoney has been boosted from $10,000 to $15,000.
Heats of the event are scheduled for Monday, October 19, and the final is the following Monday night.
Maitland club manager Tony Edmunds said he expects to get enough nominations for eight heats, but will be satisfied if he gets only two heats.
But he is adamant that Good Odds Harada put the race on the map. Certainly, there have been other winners that had ability but Good Odds Harada is the stand-out.
“We’ve been able to produce some good greyhounds with the long home straight here, but we hang our hats on that one,” said Edmunds.
“But it will be interesting this year because we have moved to a night slot and we’ll wait to see what times they run in cooler evening temperatures.”
Last year’s winner was Drink Shoeys, for Michelle Sultana and it won the Maiden in fine fashion.
“It started its career with a flurry and looked like being the next big thing,” said Edmunds.
“Its winning time last year was faster than Good Odds Harada, but I don’t know what has happened since with the dog.”
Hurst, who is based at Londonderry just a couple of hours drive from Maitland, looks like being back for another crack at the Maiden.
Asked if he had anything being set for the Maiden, Hurst replied: “I’m not sure. We have a few maidens here now and some would be suited by the race.
“So I’ll definitely look at it.”
At time of Chase going to print Good Odds Harada was being set for back-to-back million Dollar Chases and Hurst reported the creamy brindle flyer has come back as good as he ever was after a brief stud career.