Mahailia, Marbo’s Magic and Nangar Thunder are among the contenders for this Thursday’s $36,000-to-the-winner Group 2 PPK Mining Maitland Gold Cup (450m) heats.
Hot local hopeful Black Frenzy (box two, heat three) and last Saturday night’s Group 3 New Sensation winner Tilly’s Boy (box three, heat three) also feature in the seven heats, which promise some terrific action.
Mahailia (box two, heat two) has won her last four starts and 13 out of 18 overall for her NSW Northern Rivers trainer Frank Hancock.
She has won all three of her visits to Maitland so far, including a 25.11 effort on March 10.
Marbo’s Magic (box five, heat four) has won nine of his 10 starts so far, including a devastating 24.86 effort at Maitland last week.
He won his only previous start from the squeeze box and looks a strong chance for NSW Central West trainer Paul Braddon, whose kennel has enjoyed a strong run of form recently with the likes of Marbo’s Magic and All A Miss.
Nangar Thunder (box four, heat four) has won six of his nine starts so far, including a triumph over the 450m at Maitland">Maitland on March 10.
The DAVE Irwin-trained greyhound ran a strong 25.06 when finishing second behind Marbo’s Magic at Maitland last start from the same box and could be tough to stop in this race.
Others to watch in the heats include Ritza Lenny (box one, heat three), who won the Launching Pad Consolation at Sandown Park last week and this year’s Group 1 National Derby winner and Maitland track record holder Magic Spring (pictured, who has box three in heat four).
Multiple Group race finalist Big Ticket (box three, heat one), star Victorian Aston Bolero (box two, heat five) and track specialist SanDAVE Prince (box two, heat six) also look eye-catching contenders.
The winner from each heat as well as the fastest runner-up will qualify for next week's Group 2 Maitland Cup.
For Maitland Thursday fields and form, click here.
