The son of Premier Boloney and Oriental Rush pinged the lids from box eight in the third of four heats on Thursday afternoon and led all the way to clock a slick 24.94 seconds and beat the Pat Parrelli-trained Devine Chief (25.39s) by six and a quarter lengths.

Calimero came into the heats on the back of a best-of-night win at Bulli where he clocked 22.47s for the 400m and punters were quick to grab the $2.50 on offer.

Calimero has now won nine of his 31 starts and only needs to reproduce his heat performance to take home the $2300 first prize in this Thursday’s final.

The first heat of the Christmas Cup went to the Lorraine Aitchison-trained Celebrate in 25.13s.

The daughter of Hallucinate and Cristalle franked her Gosford 515m win from the previous week when she made good use of box one to run down early leader Rangoon (25.13s) and win by a nose.

Printer’s Ink won the second heat in 25.46s for Glen Mckinley with the Jody Manuel-trained Chevy Bandit (25.50s) three quarters of a length second.

Cop It Sweet won the fourth heat for Jill Harper in 25.29s after pinging the lids from box one and leading all the way. The Allan Buman-trained Deja Vu (25.42s) was one and three quarter lengths second.

Good to luck to all the finalists in Monday’s box draw for Thursday’s final.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for trainer John Callaughan after Savanaka Two won the Chadford Lodge Christmas Gift final over 450m on Thursday.

The daughter of Barcia Bale and Coral Corleone was last away from the five box but threaded her way through the field to lead into the home straight and hold off a strong challenge from the Terry Priest-trained Wild Jimmy.

Savanaka Two clocked 25.46s to take home the $1800 winner’s prize while the Greg Harborne-trained Full On Lass was third.

Branxton trainer Lindsay Davis appears to have a handy stayer in the making after Frekey won the Munro Butterflies On Vincent Stakes over 565m.

The daughter of Djays Octane and Key Exit (the dam of group one winner and stud dog Keybow) was second early from box two and ran down the Lorraine Aitchison-trained Crowned by two lengths in 31.89s.

Frekey has come on nicely since stepping up to the longer journey in September and has two wins and two seconds from her past five starts.

Davis, a busy mother-of-three, is a regular at Maitland on race and trial days and it was great to see her also enjoy success with Deejay Frankie winning a maiden final at Richmond on Friday night for owner Mark Duclos.

Santa will be a special guest at Maitland Greyhound Club’s Christmas meeting on December 22.

Santa will arrive at the track with show bags and lollies for the kids about 6pm.

There will also be a jumping castle, face painting and lucky gate prizes. For more details call 4933 7095.