It was a terrific few hours for Liz and Rab McNair. On Sunday night, two of their latest litter produced outstanding performances at Central Park. Then on Monday morning, their youngster Queen Beyonce produced a superb, fastest-of-session 28.80 (-10) trial run over Swindon’s Oaks course. Trial results
Assistant trainer Rab said: “I’m a happy chappy. To see a youngster like Beyonce go quicker than a bitch of the calibre of Rackethall Jess, how can you not be delighted? She ran off a bit between the first two bends, like many of them do first time, but I think she will be well suited to Swindon. The set-up at the traps is very similar to Central Park which she runs so well.
“Apart from the incident when King Turbo was a pup, I have some very good memories of Swindon. I have won a couple of Arcs there and I think it is a fair track. Even though I put a lot of good dogs around there, none of them broke 29.00 first time like Beyonce.
On Sunday evening, King Idol and sister Queen Cher, from the new May ’17 litter by Eden The Kid out of Shaws Dilemma, had both won A2 races at Central Park. Idol (7-4f) led at the second bend and won by seven in 29.30, Cher (5-4f) led at the third and won by four and a half in 29.34 (both -20). Both were contesting the second races of their careers.
Rab said: “I was thrilled with the raw pace of both of them. There are five in the litter, one dog had a set-back and had to have a testicle removed. Another bitch had a set back, while another is getting some experience with Danny Brabon. They look to be an exceptional litter. The Monmore Puppy Derby is the long term plan.
“I wasn’t happy with the way they were graded for their first races but huge credit to Roger Cearns (promoter) and Peter Miller (RM), for listening to my concerns and doing something about it. They both had decent chances for their second races.
“It is so important that these young dogs get the chance to get on the bunny and gain some confidence. They were both favourite, but nobody can surely complain when the pups are so young and inexperienced.”
On Tuesday, Rab takes King Turbo and King Eden to Sheffield for the BGBF British Bred Derby. The pair trialled over the 500m course last week, Turbo clocking 28.84 and Elvis did 28.98 (both -30).
Rab said: “I couldn’t be happier with both of them. I was a bit surprised at the going allowance. It was -20 for the sprint but only -30 for the 500. But I am not a local, it must just be how they do it there.”
With the Eclipse Final taking place just 24 hours before the Sheffield first round, are there any regrets about not going to Nottingham with the kenne’s two biggest stars?
Rab said: “No. My dogs don’t seem to run the place that well. Last year I took three experienced open racers there in King Eden, King Kid and King Turbo and all ran with their heads in the air. I don’t know why. It is a quiet hare, and the hare is always quite short. Whatever the reason, I decided to go to Sheffield instead.”
If Dorotas Wildcat was to win on Monday night, he would surely be a major challenger to King Turbo for Greyhound of the Year? Should that have influenced the decision?
Rab said: “Oh I know that some people will say, ‘Sheffield is only a British bred competition’. I suggest they tried to breed a litter to win one of them. Its not as easy as you might think.
“As for Greyhound of the Year, if Turbo was to win at Sheffield, that would be four Cat Ones this year. If all goes to plan, we are then off to Hove for the Olympic. Maybe we will meet Wildcat there. Whether he goes or not, if Turbo was to win that too, I’d be keen to see what they would do about Greyhound of the Year.
But what if Nottingham is the venue for the 2019, and King Turbo is allowed to contest it (as a cleared disqualified dog) would you change your mind?
Rab replied: “I am not saying I won’t run dogs there. But I honestly think there are a couple of things that need to be done to turn it into a Derby course. I would like to see better banking around the first two bends in particular and I think the third bend could be improved.
“Hopefully by then, they will have changed those old traps. By the design, the fronts move three or four inches if dogs charge against them. The boxes like they have at Monmore are far better.”
The McNair do have Nottingham on their agenda with Queen Anna being lined up for a tilt at the National Sprint.
Rab said: “She is just coming back after season. I was very pleased with the 16.46 (-05) in a trial at Henlow last week. I take very special care with future brood bitches. I will never suppress them or run them in season. So that was a decent trial in preparation for Nottingham.
While Queen Beyonce is at Swindon on Sunday afternoon, brothers King Cash, King Nelson and King Dylan are expected to be at Henlow. On Saturday, they recorded times of 27.69, 27.69 and 27.63 (all -10) respectively.
Rab said: “I am not sure that they have the trapping ability for Henlow but they are maturing virtually by the day. One week they barely seem to know what is going on, and a week later, their ears are cocked and they are more aware and interested in everything. It is fascinating to watch them develop physically and mentally.
“Also, when they started out, they were giving away several months and bags of experience to older pups. But they have caught up now and these are very exciting times. I love that first bend at Henlow, good dogs will drive into it. I can’t wait for Sunday.”
