KING TURBO has his sights set on the RPGTV Scottish Derby after becoming the inaugural winner of the Astute Electronics Gold Cup at Towcester on Saturday.

Disqualification at Swindon last year means the Liz McNair-trained flyer will be prevented from seeking success back at Towcester in the Star Sports English Derby – but Rab McNair, assistant and husband of trainer Liz, says another Greyhound of the Year title might well be heading to their kennel.

“Look, it seems he can’t go in the English Derby because of what happened last year. I hope the rules are changed, and I think they might be. But that might come too late for him, but let’s go and try and win another Greyhound of the Year title with this dog. He’s a champion.”

Pacing up inside kennelmate and reigning Greyhound of the Year, King Elvis, British Bred Derby third King Turbo forged ahead in the dash to the bend and made teamwork irrelevant, even though the middle-keeping King Elvis kept the flying Dorotas Wildcat at bay on his outer.

Thereafter, it was plain sailing for the two-year-old who never looked likely to be beaten, although Calico Brandy and Barricane Tiger ran cracking races in behind, the strong-running former catching the eye here with the Derby in mind given the 500m distance of the Classic sure to suit

However, it was King Turbo who crossed the line in front to take the £10,000 prize in a race which had been delayed a week given the abandonment seven days previously. That has led to a change of date for the Trainers’ Championship meeting which could now be moved to next month

“He led, didn’t he?” added McNair of the son of Leamaneigh Turbo and Wee Tiger Tots, who is owned and bred by Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate out of two former stars of their kennel in Ashford, Kent. He is very much a home-bred, and connections are proud of that.

Keogh said: “We’re delighted and feel that Turbo deserved that. He’s as good as anything there is, and we’ll take our chance in Scotland now. But don’t forget [King] Kid and Eden for the Derby here – Elvis too. Liz and Rab do a great job – Liz in particular!”

Rab McNair added: “We had to wait a week, of course. The weather was crazy last week, but we’ve won it, and we’re all thrilled. It’s a great sponsorship, so well done to Geoff (Hill) and his family – and we’ve been treated here like kings tonight by Towcester. Well done to them all.”

For the record King Turbo crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of Carol Weatherall’s Calico Brandy, prompting sponsor Geoff Hill to confirm plans to stage the Astute Electronics Gold Cup again in 2019. He was delighted with the response to the competition.

The owner of last year’s Star Sports English Derby winner Astute Missile said: “With a final and a competition like this, how can we not do it again? The race tonight is as good as you’ll see, so thank-you to the owners and trainers of the greyhounds involved. It’s been great.”

KING TURBO has his sights set on the RPGTV Scottish Derby after becoming the inaugural winner of the Astute Electronics Gold Cup at Towcester on Saturday.

Disqualification at Swindon last year means the Liz McNair-trained flyer will be prevented from seeking success back at Towcester in the Star Sports English Derby – but Rab McNair, assistant and husband of trainer Liz, says another Greyhound of the Year title might well be heading to their kennel.

“Look, it seems he can’t go in the English Derby because of what happened last year. I hope the rules are changed, and I think they might be. But that might come too late for him, but let’s go and try and win another Greyhound of the Year title with this dog. He’s a champion.”

Pacing up inside kennelmate and reigning Greyhound of the Year, King Elvis, British Bred Derby third King Turbo forged ahead in the dash to the bend and made teamwork irrelevant, even though the middle-keeping King Elvis kept the flying Dorotas Wildcat at bay on his outer.

Thereafter, it was plain sailing for the two-year-old who never looked likely to be beaten, although Calico Brandy and Barricane Tiger ran cracking races in behind, the strong-running former catching the eye here with the Derby in mind given the 500m distance of the Classic sure to suit.

However, it was King Turbo who crossed the line in front to take the £10,000 prize in a race which had been delayed a week given the abandonment seven days previously. That has led to a change of date for the Trainers’ Championship meeting which could now be moved to next month.

“He led, didn’t he?” added McNair of the son of Leamaneigh Turbo and Wee Tiger Tots, who is owned and bred by Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate out of two former stars of their kennel in Ashford, Kent. He is very much a home-bred, and connections are proud of that.

Keogh said: “We’re delighted and feel that Turbo deserved that. He’s as good as anything there is, and we’ll take our chance in Scotland now. But don’t forget [King] Kid and Eden for the Derby here – Elvis too. Liz and Rab do a great job – Liz in particular!”

Rab McNair added: “We had to wait a week, of course. The weather was crazy last week, but we’ve won it, and we’re all thrilled. It’s a great sponsorship, so well done to Geoff (Hill) and his family – and we’ve been treated here like kings tonight by Towcester. Well done to them all.”

For the record King Turbo crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of Carol Weatherall’s Calico Brandy, prompting sponsor Geoff Hill to confirm plans to stage the Astute Electronics Gold Cup again in 2019. He was delighted with the response to the competition.

The owner of last year’s Star Sports English Derby winner Astute Missile said: “With a final and a competition like this, how can we not do it again? The race tonight is as good as you’ll see, so thank-you to the owners and trainers of the greyhounds involved. It’s been great.”