The 2009 Group 1 Maturity Classic is just days away now, with the big final to be run and won on Saturday night. The 40th running of the now classic race will see the winner walk away with $50,000 first prizemony.
The Maturity Classic was first held at Olympic Park in 1970 when won by talented sprinter Phantom's Heir first prize at that time was $1250. The prizemoney increased marginally until 1975 when it went to $3,500. In 77 it was $5,600 and jumped to $7000 in 79 before going to $10,000 from 1980 until 1987 the year the mighty New Tears won the race.
First prize went to $15,000 for seven years then to $20,000 for two years and reached $30,000 in the year 2000. In 2001 it was worth $40,000 and the Classic was won by AGRA Hall Of Famer Brett Lee. It was elevated the next year to the current amount of $50,000.
While it may be some time before any of us will race one good enough to start in the Maturity Classic there's nothing stopping us from doing the hard yards and studying the form in the hope of backing the 2009 Maturity Classic winner. With that in mind, Australian Racing Greyhound have compiled all the important stats and facts for this years Maturity Classic Final.
Maturity Classic Stats
Fifteen favourites have won the Maturity Classic since it was first staged in 1970. Of those ten have started odds on.
The race record at Olympic Park was 29.80 held by Storm Glade, since the race transferred to the Meadows the fastest winner is Brett Lee at 29.75.
The longest priced winner is Poetic Magic at $27.40. She won in 2005 for Kevin Mugavin
Graeme Bate has won the race on three occasions with Storm Glade (1985), Hay Dinney (88) and Northern Legend (95) The only other trainer to produce more than one winner is Darren McDonald with Brett Lee (2001) and Hallucinate (2004).
Winners that have produced winners:
New Tears produced Northern Legend
Brett Lee produced Hallucinate
Only four bitches have won the Maturity Warrenwood Girl (75), Overflow Love (77), Coriole (99) and Poetic Magic (05).
In the last 8 years six of the eight winners started favourite.
2009 Group 1 Hudson Pacific Maturity Classic Final Detailed Form
Comment : Very smart New South Wales sprinter who has already made the Group 1 Futurity Final, running third; and the Group 3 Maitland Gold Cup finishing second. The only bitch in the final and was just caught on the post in her semi final after an impressive win in her heat. Looks the leader and will certainly be hard to gun down in the final. In with a big chance from box one.
Comment : One of two for Jason Thompson he has been very impressive both weeks of the series. Last week he forced his own passage between runners at the first turn and raced home a smart winner. Bred in the purple and the fawn dog is sure to give a good account of himself, looks a fierce chaser. Another with very solid claims for victory.
Comment : Good looking youngster who gets back in his races but runs on hard has chased down the early leader both weeks for impressive wins. Trained by the master G Bate he has won this race three times and this pup could easily make it four. Will need a bit of luck, but certainly a live chance.
Comment : The youngest dog in the final, he has three wins on the track and races well here. Solid effort last week but he is not well served by the draw. Will need a lot of luck to challenge the inside dogs from box four, place chance best.
Comment : Good effort to win his semi final in his best win of his four on the track. Not the best of draws and he will need a fair slice of luck in running to match the more fancied, plenty of ability place chance looks best.
Comment : The most experienced runner in the final he has had 13 starts on the track came home hard last week behind Aston Trivett and has won here in 29.95. Not the best of draws and he will need to settle in a prominent spot to trouble the pups drawn down near the fence.
Comment : Only a youngster with three wins on the track and a best of 30.05. Trainer has already won the race twice include last year. Will need some luck early to overcome the wide draw. Could run a place if things went his way.
Comment : Second finalist for Jason Thompson and another pup bred in the purple. Raced won well last week to scout around the outside and race home solidly once he hit the front. Recorded 30.19 last week but has scored here in 30.03, not without a chance place might be best.