With little separating the eight finalists the run to the first corner could easily decide the winner.

On that score Chevy Bel Air is looking strong clocking the quickest first section of 5.33 seconds in the third of four heats.

The daughter of Barcia Bale an Elite Tarawi led throughout from box six and her run home time was on par with the other three heat winners.

Chevy Bel Air has has been in the money 11 times in her 23 race starts and held off the Barry Evans-trained Gravitas (22.77s) by one and a quarter lengths.

Caramel Opal won the first heat for Carol Hudson in 22.61s by two lengths from the Mark Davidson-trained Code’s Here.

Jet Blue Boy won the second heat in 22.60s for John Byrne, beating the Jill Harper-trained Tough Times (22.81s) by three lengths.

Medowie Mac won the fourth heat in 22.75s for Greta trainer Garry Kedwell, beating the Michelle Shambler-trained Melissa’s Charm (22.92s) by two and a quarter lengths.

Good luck to all runners in Thursday’s final.

A big thank you to members of the Maitland Supporters Club for tipping in an extra $600 and a necklace as added incentive for the winner of this year’s upcoming Mother’s Day Necklace at Maitland.

The 400m series is expected to attracted some of the best sprinters in the district for heats this Thursday afternoon.

The $1500-to-the-winner final will be run on Thursday, May 11.

It was great to see grand campaigner La Grand Logie rack up win number 27 - from 95 race starts - and take his prizemoney to $112,506 at Maitland on Thursday afternoon.

The Jeff Eaton-trained son of El Grand Senor and Oh Em Gee has won at seven different atracks and at just over four years old is still showing a keenness for racing.

Punters also got it right when they sent La Grand Logie to the boxes as favourite in the 450m Masters event.

The champion didn’t disappoint with a 25.31s effort to beat the fast-finishing Joe Mcfadyen-trained Fab Surfy by two lengths.