Abermain trainer Darryl Wilson couldn't believe his luck when kennel mates Sketchy Impact and Sketchy Halo finished first and second in the Kankool Pet Food Taree to Maitland Final at Maitland Showground over 400 metres.
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Only a neck separated the pair as Sketchy Finish brought up her seventh win from only 15 starts and franked her form as the fastest of four heat winners at Taree over 392m five days earlier.
Wilson's pair pinged the lids from boxes six and seven and battled for the early lead before Sketchy Impact put two lengths on the field and looked all over the winner until Sketchy Impact came with a late run.
Sketchy Impact, a daughter of Disintergrate and You Name Me, had been well schooled at Maitland early in her racing career and clocked 23.03s in last Thursday's blustery conditions.
The next Taree to Maitland series will see heats run at Taree on Saturday, January 19 with the final at Maitland on Thursday, January 24.
Roberts enjoys trip to Maitland
The return trip home to Dubbo was a happy one for trainer Charmaine Roberts after Sam Keeping, Caitlyn Keeping and Nikita Keeping brought up a treble for her at Maitland on Thursday.
Sam Keeping started the run of good fortune when he led throughout from box four to win race four, the Ladbrokes Odds Boost 1-2 Wins Stakes over 450m in 25.33s - the best of the day as strong winds swept across the track.
He beat the Stephen Davies-trained Pictures To Burn by eight lengths with Tap Out Ava from the Steve Burgis kennels third.
Caitlyn Keeping brought up the second win in race six, the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes, over 450m in 25.44s, beating John Byrne's in-form Debt Cutter by one and half lengths. Roberts also picked up third place in this race with Cliff Keeping.
Nikita Keeping brought up the treble in race 11, the Ladbrokes 1-2 Wins Stakes, over 450m in 25.84s.
Special day for Manual
It certainly was a day for special moments at Maitland last Thursday.
Butterwick trainer Michael Manuel added to the list of special achievements with a race double thanks to Cop A Chevy and Swizzle Sticka.
Cop A Chevy won race five, the 3rd/4th grade Ladbrokes Back Yourself Stakes over 400m in 22.47s while Swizzle Sticka won the 5th grade Ladbrokes Mutimaker Stakes over 400m in 22.77s.
Congratulation to Michael and his wife Jodie, who are great supporters of the Maitland track.
Christmas Cup
Maitland is gearing up for its Christmas Cup meeting on Thursday, December 20 and with Santa Claus already booked in to make an appearance it's a date families should mark in their diary.
There will be free gift bags for the first 100 children through the gates as well as free face painting and balloon art to entertain the children.
