Neilson is a regular face at Maitland trial days each Monday and Friday and on race days on Thursday afternoon.

Sign Inn, a son of Cosmic Rumble and Our Money Box, franked his 22.67 second performance trial success from a week earlier with an impressive 22.55s for the 400 metres.

The October 2014 whelp recorded a sizzling 5.34s first section to lead all the way from the Kristy Sultana-trained James Beat Fed by five and a half lengths with the Michael Mencken-trained Nagus third.

The Robert Mccolm-trained Mr Shire continued to live up to his big reputation with a powerful finish to win the Clocktower Hotel Trophy Stakes over 565m.

The son of Magic Sprite and Slick Exit was having his first start at Maitland and had only been out of the money once in 15 starts with seven wins and seven minor placings.

Mccolm had reportedly knocked back big money offers for the black dog and Thursdayafternoon’s effort seems to have justified his decision to keep him.

Mr Shire began well from box one and trailed Maitland specialist Duck’s Luck from the Ray Morris kennels into the turn.

When they straightened for home Mr Shire balanced up and swept past Duck’s Luck to win by five and three quarters lengths in 31.72s.

The Troy McDonald-trained Lachy Balboa was third.

It will be interesting to see what Martins Creek trainer Geoff Grimwood does next with his well-performed dog Aston Cruz.

The son of Fabregas and Aston Dream franked his sizzling 22.23s 400m Maitland win from the previous week with an impressive 25.35s 450m on Thursday afternoon.

Aston Cruz has won over the 525m at The Meadows in Victoria and on recent runs at Maitland the black dog appears to have plenty of class about him.

Punters who supported him were rewarded with $4 for the win.

The Charmaine Field-trained Red Four was one length second with the Jason Mackay-trained Sharp Gamber third.

Racing returns to Maitland on Thursday afternoon with the feature race likely to a 450m non-graded stakes race.