Chevy Leads Winter Cup Charge

SPECTACULAR heat winners Cop A Chevy and Loading Zone lock horns in what promises to be an enthralling finale to Thursday's Winter Cup (450m) at Maitland.

While just two heats of the $1,750 to-the-winner 4/5th grade event were assembled last Thursday, they certainly weren't devoid of quality, with Cop A Chevy streaking away to an all-the-way victory in the opening qualifier, running 25.18 for trainer Robert Howard.

The second heat went the way of raging hot favourite Loading Zone, the hugely talented son of Dyna Double One overcoming a tardy start to score comfortably in 25.35, the seventh win of his 14 start career, his first for new trainer Jason Mackay.

And while there is some quality gallopers engaged in Thursday's final outside of the two heat winners – including Loading Zone's litter-brother Street Outlaw – the winning duo appear to have a stranglehold on what promises to be an epic clash, with betting expected to reflect that.

"I didn't really mind where Cop A Chevy drew in the final as long as he wasn't outside Bruno Zarr as he heads right when he comes out of the boxes," pointed out Howard, his charge drawing box seven while Bruno Zarr will exit two, inside Loading Zone in three.

"We've had him here for a couple of months now. At his last Gosford start he tore his stomach muscle and Jodie and Michael (Manuel) were going away on a cruise so they asked me if I'd take him to train. Touch wood everything is going to plan and he's over the injury now. We're just taking things week by week."

Cop A Chevy lines up in Thursday's final with a sensational Maitland record behind him, the son of Kinloch Brae and outstanding producer Cop A Sling victorious at eight of his 12 appearances at the circuit, including blistering personal best times of 22.30 (400m) and 24.93 (450m).

Overall the fashionably bred sprinter has won 16 of his 25 starts for new-trainer Howard and owner/breeders Michael and Jodie Manuel, with a trip to Grafton for the upcoming Sprinters Cup (407m) well and truly on the cards.

"The plan is to go to Grafton for the Sprinters Cup after Thursday's final," declared Howard.

"I think we've got 10 days until the heats after Thursday. Both he and Zipper Shoes won up there a few weeks back after having a slip at Grafton a week earlier. It looks a nice race for them both and the fact that they've been there and won is a plus."

At Wentworth Park on Wednesday night, Zipper Shoes steps out in race eight on the program for Robert and Tina Howard, the son of Fabregas and Wee Chevy described as a real kennel favourite.

And looking at his record, winning 17 of his 36 starts, including another 11 placings, why wouldn't he be?

"I'd love six or seven more like him," beamed Howard.

"He's only 27 kilos but he's all heart, he gives you 100% every time he goes around," added Howard.

"We bought him and his brother Wee Zipper as three month old pups off Michael and Jodie but we've had all sorts of problems with Wee Zipper. I sent him down to Robert Britton after he won his maiden in 22.40 at Maitland last year but he smashed his toe at his first Sandown start for him.

“He was trialling for Rob as good as his free for all dogs and said he wanted him back if he got over his problems, but it's just been one thing after another."

The Winter Cup Final is the eighth and final event on Thursday's program, set to go at 6.54pm ESTD.

Maitland's Thursday form