Elizabeth and Rab McNair’s wait to add the ARC Kent Silver Salver trophy to their cabinet could end this month following a near faultless night on Saturday at Central Park Stadium.
The Ashford couple have never lifted the UK’s most prestigious sprint competition previously, but have four chances of reaching this year’s final at the weekend when Central Park hosts the competition’s semifinals.
Queen Dusty, King Jackson, Queen Sinead and King Presley all qualified from their respective heats for the McNair kennel.
The first three were drawn out of the hat together for Semi Final One, while King Presley is the kennel’s sole representative in Semi Final Two. A top two finish is required to confirm a place in the following week’s showpiece £12,500 grand final.
Assistant trainer Rab believes all four of his hounds have a good chance of qualifying, and is keeping his fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
“They’ve all got chances, and crucially they’ve all got the draws they need,” said Rab. “I’m hoping Saturday’s heats will bring all of them along nicely.
“It was 100 per cent the right decision to postpone the heats a week ago – the weather was so poor.
“Our greyhounds were fresh, which probably didn’t work in our favour, but they can kick on this weekend.
“Sinead is the natural sprinter of them all. Jackson and Dusty are more naturally suited to the standard distances and Presley we’re still learning about. He (King Presley) is the type of greyhound that could run three times a week if we were able to. He’s hyper, and just loves life.
“We’re in a good position, if one or two of them can qualify for the final we’ll be in good shape.”
The ARC Silver Salver wasn’t the only open race action the McNair kennel was involved with on Saturday.
The couple travelled to Towcester, Northamptonshire, where Queen Shakira ran in the BGBF TruFrame Champion Stakes.
Despite a slow start, Shakira ran on to finish second behind winner Patrick Janssens’ Romeo Steel. It capped off an unforgettable night for the Suffolk handler, who won the English Greyhound Derby with Droopys Plunge plus four other finals on the night.
“It was the Patrick Janssens show – and fair play to him,” said Rab. “We were hopeful (King) Memphis could run in the Jimmy Wright Memorial but he picked up a small knock to his toe which set him back.
“He’s having his trial at Central Park on Tuesday. I’m keen not to plan anything at this stage, let’s see how his trial goes and we’ll take it from there.”
Other greyhounds of note to qualify for this weekend’s semifinals were Scurry Gold Cup champion Rioja Oisin and Mark Wallis’ Ballinakill Liam – who set the benchmark by qualifying in 16.03 seconds, the fastest time of the night.
Tickets for the semifinals of the Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver are available online or can be purchased on the door from £8. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.
Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver, semi final draw:
Semi Final One: Bert Ted, Queen Sinead, Rioja Oisin, King Jackson, Mickys Tribute, Queen Dusty.
Semi Final Two: Harlequin Ernie, Mucky Boreen, Coppice Ronnie, Tullymurry Dylan, Ballinakill Liam, King Presley.
Semi Final Three: Oakfield Murty, Beaming Isla, Daring Hoffa, Roanna Mamba, Pavilion Team, King Pavarotti.
