Eye-catching newcomer Chevy Shifter enjoyed a sparkling debut and looks a strong chance repeat that success at Thursday’s Maitland meeting.
The Michael Manuel trained-pup jumps from box eight in the 5th grade Remember Mum On Sunday Stakes (400m, race 11) aiming to repeat his sparkling maiden victory at the Hunter Valley track last week.
After two successful previous performance trials at Maitland, the son of Magic Sprite and Chevy Princess stormed home from box four in an impressive best-of-the-day 22.15 - just .17 outside Winsome Jacko’s 2014 track record.
He moves to the outside alley for this race but his trainer believes his greyhound can make it two wins from two.
"I was very pleased with his run last week," Manual said. "We were hoping he could improve on his performance trials but that was unexpected.
"I don't think he could have jumped any better than last week. That first sectional was the quickest he has ever run.
"He used to crash left when he started but recently he has held his line. He will need to get out and clear them this week, otherwise he'll hit trouble, but I think he can win."
Chevy Shifter gave notice of his potential earlier this month with a smart 22.45 performance trial at Maitland">Maitland, before his one-and-a-half length victory last week.
He is a half-brother of multiple Group winner and Maitland 595m track record holder No Donuts and his littermates include Rippin Hayne, trained by gun Victorian mentor Robbie Britton who has already scored victories at Sandown Park and The Meadows in his short career.
"He ran home in 6.48 in his performance trial so I'm confident he'll eventually make the 500 metres," Manuel said.
"He's well-bred so he looks like he could be handy.
"You can't get carried away but he should win this."
He looks capable of saluting again here although the field does include Pineza Man (box two), who won on debut at Unibet Gardens in February but has been unsuccessful in three starts since.
Chevy Shifter’s kennelmate Chevy Bel Air (box seven) looks a decent value chance in the 5th grade Lucky Numbers Race Day Stakes (450m, race 7).
The daughter of Barcia Bale and Elite Tarawi placed over the 450m at Maitland two starts back – albeit from box one – and has also won at the track over 400m.
Zipping Spring (box four) and Hansome Junior in box eight both look winning chances in an even-looking race.
In other Maitland Thursday action, Old Spice (box one) looks the day’s best bet in race five over the 450m.
The Terry Priest-trained greyhound has been racing in strong company at Wentworth Park and Albion Park recently but scored a 29.95 win at the Sydney circuit in March.
He has won four of his eight starts from box one and should relish the drop down in grade for this.
Nana Glen (box three) has mixed form recently but can return to winning ways in race six over the 400m.
A winner of three of her seven starts so far, the Louise McGee-trained speedster scored a smart 22.38 victory at Maitland three starts back from this draw and will be tough to stop if she repeats that display.
Good Judge (box three) is racing well and looks capable of saluting in the day’s feature race, the S/C Mother’s Day Gift Final (race eight, 400m).
A consistent performer at NSW country tracks, he has scored two wins and two placings in his last four starts and has won five of his eight previous starts wearing the checks.
For Maitland Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
