KING CAPALDI completed a double for Liz and Rab McNair on his way to setting the fastest time of three semi-finals of the BGBF British Bred Derby at Sheffield on Tuesday – in the process helping to set up a fantastic £10,000-to-the-winner decider next week.

Lining up in the second semi, the December 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Beyonce was quickly away on his way to a joint-best 4.12sec sectional and a six-length victory over Acomb Johnny (Kevin Ferguson). He clocked 28.67sec (normal) for the 500m trip to continue a fine run of form having run-up to litter brother King Memphis in the recent RPGTV Puppy Derby at Towcester.

Success completed a semi-final double for the McNairs after Produce Stakes champion Queen Joni won the first semi, the December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Queen Jessiej blasting out on her way to matching King Capaldi’s split time (4.12sec) before going on for a three and three-quarter lengths victory in 28.71sec (normal).

Runner-up here was Acomb Felix, a litter brother of Acomb Johnny, who gave owner, trainer and breeder Kevin Ferguson a second finalist. The pair are March 2021 whelps by Hiya Butt out of Acomb Ruby.

Signet Goofy scored a popular victory in the third semi-final as the 2022 Steel City Cup winner impressed once again at the Owlerton venue as the oldest runner in the field – he becomes a senior next month – secured his place in a second successive British Bred Derby by making all from Savana Top Cat (Chris Hamblin), winning by three lengths in 28.86sec (normal).

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, is looking forward to next week’s final and believes it ranks as one of the best races of the year – even matched against those competitions not restricted to British-bred runners.

Mort said: “It’s a really great final, full of class, but that’s not surprising after three great semi-finals which produced three very definite winners but also three runners-up who were equally very worthy of their places in the final.

“All the semi-finalists deserve a ‘well done’, but especially the six through to the final which has given us a real showcase of talent, young and older, with two of our finalists – Queen Joni and King Capaldi – just out of puppy status.

“Signet Goofy is the ‘old guard’, of course, being almost four years old now and a senior, but has been – and still is – a fantastic dog for John Mullins and owners Chris Waters and Lee Calcutt. He’s just so consistent, winning over sprint and standard distances, and is such a great advert for British breeding.

“Goofy is, of course, one of that amazing January 2020 Magical Bale-Forest Natalee litter, but now faces off against two real young pretenders waiting in the wings in the form of Queen Joni and King Capaldi for the KSS Syndicate and the McNairs – Capaldi posted the fastest time last night.

“The McNair pair are almost two years younger than Goofy being December 2021 whelps – Capaldi being out of Queen Beyonce and Joni out of another of their home-breds in Queen Jessiej.

“It’s great to see Kevin Ferguson with two in the final with litter brothers Acomb Felix and Acomb Johnny from the repeat mating of Hiya Butt and Acomb Ruby.

“Savana Top Cat was originally Romeo Top Cat and is a litter brother of Romeo Command, being bred by the Firmagers (Dorotas Wildcat-Drive On Betsy, Jan 21) and has done really well for Kevin Boothby and Chris Hamblin. It’s good to see them in our final, too!

“All I can say now is a huge good luck to each and every dog in the final – and their connections – and I’m really looking forward to being there next Tuesday. Thanks to the team at Sheffield as always.”