Quality field assembled for Maitland Gold Cup

Fresh from his Maitland Supporters Club Maitland Gold Collar victory over 400m two weeks ago Bob's Uncle unleashed his now customary powerful burst in the home straight to win the last of seven heats on Thursday afternoon and secure his spot in the $36,000-to-the-winner final this Friday night.

Bob's Uncle is the only locally-trained runner in the time-honoured event and Mcglinn rates the son of Swift Fancy and Lagoon Smylee the best dog he has trained.

The black dog has now won six of his seven race starts and his only loss was by a nose in slick time in his first run over the 450m at Maitland a week earlier.

Bob's Uncle won't have it all his own way in Friday’s final with some of the nation’s best one-turn dogs drawn outside him.

Jumping from box two is the Mark Gatt-trained Ritza Lenny, a 24.90s heat winner with an imposing record from inside boxes.

The son of Barcia Bale and Lagoon Lowanna has won seven of his 13 starts and was impressive in his heat beating New Sensation winner Tilly’s Boy from the Dean Swain kennels by half a length.

Exiting box three in the final is the Steven Clarke-trained Big Ticket, the second-fastest of the heat winners in 24.82s.

The son of Fabregas and Bella Portrait has won 23 of his 42 starts, most of them over the 450m in Victoria.

Heat four winner Black Driftwood will again jump from box four in the final for Appin trainer Mark Azzopardi.

The son of Lochinvar Marlow and Hail Queenie clocked 25.05s to beat the Jason Thompson-trained Jack Walker by a neck.

Interestingly, Black Driftwood was bred by Noel and Fay Trowbridge at East Maitland and did some of his early racing at the Maitland Showground track.

Cowra trainer Paul Braddon won’t be too worried to have drawn box five with fastest heat winner Marbo’s Magic.

The son of El Grand Senor and Willow Blaze has won his past 10 starts and his 24.80s heat win makes him the dog to beat in Friday’s final.

Marbo’s Magic has good early speed and a perfect two from two record from box five.

Victorian trainer Jason Thompson has drawn box six in the final for heat five winner Aston Bolero.

The son of Fabregas and Aston Dream clocked 24.84s, the third-fastest of the heat winners, and the fastest first-section split of 7.69s - an effort that puts him right this if he can reproduce that run from a wide alley.

Catherine Field trainer David Murray gets his shot at the $36,000 first prize with Sleek Master drawing box seven.

The son of Swift Fancy and Lagoon Holly finished one and three quarter lengths second behind Marbo’s Magic but his 24.92s effort made him the fastest runner-up and secured his spot in the final.

While Sleek Master has never won from a wide box it is interesting to note he has missed a place only once in 10 starts from boxes six, seven and eight.

Austral trainer Jason Magri has drawn box eight in the final with Rosco The Weapon.

The son of Swift Fancy and Princess Mea led throughout from box one in 25.11s - the slowest of the heat winners - but he beat Maitland 450m track record holder Magic Spring by three quarters of a length in the process.

Big Chicken wins

Aberglasslyn owner Brad Canty appears to have unearthed another promising dog after Big Chicken won his maiden at Maitland on Thursday in a sizzling 24.91s.

It was only the second start for the son of Dyna Lachlan and Heat The Plate and he is certainly one for punters to keep an eye on in future starts.

THE MAITLAND GOLD CUP FIELD: