Tristan Cannon is unbeaten in three starts over the 450 metres at Maitland for Kemps Creek trainer Jason Magri and all three wins were in best-of-day times.

The son of Surf Lorian and Are They Know won his heat in 24.93s from box eight last Thursday and clocked 24.71s and 24.78s in his two previous Maitland appearances - a heat and final of the Ladbrokes Monthly Medal in October.

In last Thursday’s second heat Tristan Cannon, the $1.10 red-hot favourite, was moderately away from box eight but sped to the lead going into the corner and pulled away to win by six and a half lengths from the Peter Akers-trained Leggy Blonde. 

Jason Mackay’s Rumble Soldier was third and will also progress to the final with fourth placegetter Vista King for trainer Denis Berwick.

The first heat was a cracker with Ladbrokes Maitland Future Stars Final third placegetter Nabiac Soldier coming from near last early and driving through on the rails to snatch victory in an exciting three-way battle over the last 100 metres.

The Allan Woods-trained son of My Bro Fabio and Born Lightning received all the breaks in running from box one to beat Brian Tuft’s O’Hara by three quarters of a length in 25.15s.

Cougar Stealth was third for Allan Ivers and Scarface also progressed to the final with a fourth for trainer Bev Woods.

Good luck to all the runners in the final this Thursday as Sally Priestley and her team from Approved Fire Gear at East Maitland will be at the track to present the Summer Cup to the winner.

Sydney trainer Dean Swain won the first of a new series of races aimed at providing finals racing experience for young greyhounds at Maitland.

Starburst Stu progressed with a second placing from three maiden heats a week earlier to win the Commercial Painting Group Maiden Final over 400 metres in 22.41s.

Arthur Langman, the owner of Commercial Painting Group and also an owner-trainer, is sponsoring heats and finals on the first and second Thursday of every month in 2018 for maiden or 5th grade greyhounds.

These types of events guard young greyhounds from taking on older and more experienced runners, giving them a chance to shine in race finals.

Next up will be $1500 5th grade heats over 450m on February 1, with the winner of the final a week later to take home $2000.

Just a reminder that Maitland will race twice this week with its usual meeting on Thursday afternoon and a Saturday night meeting that has been transferred from The Gardens while the Newcastle venue is closed for track maintenance.

This coming Friday meeting scheduled for The Gardens has been transferred to Gosford

Thursday’s program at Maitland will feature heats of the Club Maitland City Australia Day Cup, with all Club Maitland City members to receive free entry if they show their club membership card at the Maitland Showground Evans Street gate.