Turbo boosted by draw in Kent Derby (full form)

“If I could have placed the dogs in the traps myself, I couldn’t have done a better job.”

Assistant trainer Rab McNair was looking forward to the 480m Ladbrokes Kent Derby Final after King Turbo produced a flawless performance to win the fastest semi final in 28.63 at Central Park on Sunday night. He was then handed back the blue jacket with closest rival Trade Fudge, a 28.72 heat winner, given the black coat for only the second time in his career. (He was beaten on the previous occasion but the wide seed has won from trap three).

The other qualifier went to 50-1 chance Exiles Gift in 29.20 from Cookie Crossan (33-1). With favoruite Sporting Dave back in third, the trio paid £577.

McNair said: “Danny Brabon is a good pal and there has already been a bit of banter. He has been trying to persuade me this morning that he was actually hoping for the four in the final. I told him it might be an idea to get a black jacket for the dog between now and next Sunday so he can get used to wearing it.

“The bottom line is, it is a very good final. If Turbo does his job, he would have to have a very decent chance, though I wish it was that simple.”

Final night will also feature the deciders of the Eden The Kid Young Gun Puppy Stake and the Kent County Hurdle (form below).

Both McNair pups, King Nelson and King Sheeran, were beaten in the heats of the competition but qualified for the final. Patrick Janssens sent out the two semi final winners, Desperado Dan (28.93) and Seaglass Celine (28.90).

McNair said: “Two cracking wins for Big Patrick! He has handled his pups very cleverly, giving them experience. I would have liked to have brought ours through the grades, but it wasn’t possible. But I am happy enough. I don’t think we have ‘greyhounds’ until they are about 21 or 22 months old. They are still making mistakes but they can only improve and hopefully they will make less mistakes next Sunday.”

McNair has also been paying tribute to Central Park racing manager Peter Miller who is recovering in hospital having suffered a stroke on Thursday.

Rab said: “I’m devastated for Peter and his family. I always said that Peter Miller and Peter O’Dowd were Corals’ greatest assets. It is a terrible thing to have happened and we keep our fingers crossed he quickly makes a full recovery.”