CENTRAL PARK racing manager Rob Killingbeck reckons Saturday’s line-up for the final of the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate is one of the best he has seen at the venue.

March On Freddie and Proper Heiress clocked identical fast times in their respective semi-finals as both impressed again to main unbeaten records in the competition and both improve impressive overall strike-rates in their careers.

However, Killingbeck does not completely see it being a match between the pair in the race for the £12,500-to-the-winner Category One showpiece.

“They’re clearly the ones to beat on the clock and what they’ve done so far but finals are finals and anything can happen – and there’s huge quality from traps one to six,” he said. “And I’m not too sure the McNairs are ready to loosen their grip on the trophy quite yet!”

Local trainer Liz McNair will be doubly handed in the final as the kennel look to repeat the victory of Queen Joni last year. The Ashford-based handler sends out King Jackson and his half-sister Queen Shakira in a bid to make it back-to-back wins in the event.

“Liz and Rab are great supporters of us here at Central Park. They obviously won with Queen Joni and, while King Memphis is missing for them this year and going straight to the Derby, King Jackson and Queen Shakira have run really well to make the final.

“However, they’re up against two of Mark’s (Wallis) in Proper Heiress and Table Toppers, both already big winners this year, David’s (Mullins) March On Freddie and Nathan’s (Hunt) Scooby The Boss, who ran on really strongly in his heat.

“I think we’re left with a brilliant final and what will be a good card here on Saturday. We’ve got supporting competitions and the heats of those threw up some good runs, too, although we know the main focus will be on the Arc Kent Plate Final.”

March On Freddie marched into the final with another powerful performance in the first semi-final as last year’s Nottingham Puppy Classic winner and Irish Derby semi-finalist once again caught fast-starting King Jackson down the far side.

Grabbing that rival approaching the third bend, the September 2022 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow went on for two and quarter lengths win over King Jackson and Scooby The Boss in 28.67sec (-20) for the 491m trip.

Remarkably, Proper Heiress clocked an identical time in the second semi as the Ladbrokes Winter Derby winner led at the first bend to edge fast-starting kennelmate Table Toppers and steal a march and lead he never looked likely to relinquish.

Queen Shakira also paced up well, but Proper Heiress ran right away for a five-and-a-quarter length triumph over Table Toppers and Queen Shakira, with the September 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush also stopping the clock in 28.67sec (-20).

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: 1 Queen Shakira, 2 Scooby The Boss, 3 Table Toppers, 4 Proper Heiress, 5 King Jackson (m), 6 March On Freddie (w).