The tiny daughter of Magic Sprite and Bit Zesta, trained by her husband Geoff, had never won at Maitland in eight previous starts and was also returning from a three-month break.

“We were getting her ready for a race next week and thought she would need the run,” an excited Leanne said as she walked out for the trophy presentation.

A quick look through the form shows that Tiny Zesta has an impressive strike rate of 15 wins and 23 placings from 59 starts and more than $22,000 prizemoney, but she had never previously won at Maitland.

Her successes have been at Gosford and The Gardens where she has won in free-for-all company.

At 23.9 kilograms Tiny Zesta was the smallest runner in Thursday’s fourth and fifth grade field but she produced a mighty first section of 5.36 seconds to lead from box six and hold off a late charge from the Dave Irwin-trained Nangar Thunder.

Punters who had faith in Tiny Zesta’s ability were rewarded with $9.50 on the tote.

A big thank you to Loretta Payne from Rural Scene Promotions, the organisers of the annual Hunter Valley Caravan, Camping, Fishing and 4WD Show held at the showground, for sponsoring the race.

Queensland trainer Darren Russell spends the best part of a day driving to and from Maitland two or three times a year and when he does it’s a good bet he has a winner or two with him.

That was certainly the case on Thursday afternoon when two of Russell’s three charges were first past the post.

Russell kicked off the day in fine style when Nothing Else won the Kankool Pet Food Maiden over 450m in a slick 25.25s.

Punters were right on the money when they sent the son of Bekim Bale and Mysterious Thing out as the red hot $1.50 favourite and despite a slow start and trouble on the bend he proved too strong in the run home to beat the Darren Hocroft-trained Whale by six and a quarter lengths.

Russell was back in the money five races later when Go Lassie Go led throughout to win the fourth and fifth grade 4WD Show Stakes over 450m in 25.27s.

His third runner, Tobias Rumble, had previously won at Maitland but had no luck in the Classic Bet Stakes for Masters grade dogs over 450m.

Sawyers Gully trainer Terry Priest is having a ball with grand campaigner Old Spice.

Since retiring the son of Lochinvar Marlow and Takeover Teddy from group racing after the Maitland Gold Cup in March, Old Spice has found a new lease on life with four wins in the past two months.

The Maitland 450m track record holder showed he is still a force to be reckoned with when he won the Classic Bet Stakes over 450m in 25.25s on Thursday afternoon.

The old boy pinged the lids from box one and never looked in danger as he powered home to beat La Grand Logie by five and three quarter lengths.

Fred Robertson completed another chapter in his 55-year association with greyhound racing when he retired as Maitland Greyhound Club sponsorship and promotions manager last Thursday.

Robertson now plans to relax and enjoy the racing at Maitland each Thursday afternoon as a patron and punter.

NSW GBOTA Executive Officer Brenton Scott wished Robertson well for the future and said he will always remain “a great friend of the NSW GBOTA.”

“Your long-standing contribution at Maitland has been pivotal in the success of the club.

“It has made a great difference to a wonderful industry of decent, hard working people,” Scott said.