KING MEMPHIS equalled the track record as Liz McNair’s ante-post favourite proved the star of the show on the second night of first-round action in the 2024 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby at Towcester on Friday.

The corresponding fixture 12 months previously had seen Graham Holland’s Clona Duke set a new best for the 500m and, while that mark has subsequently been bettered, King Memphis was a match for Droopys Clue’s best-ever 28.58sec on a night Holland himself had a five-timer topped off by defending champion Gaytime Nemo’s win in the finale.

However, it was King Memphis, the brilliant December 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Beyonce, who had clockwatchers purring as he roared into the lead in heat 12 (4.03sec split) and raced away for a six-lengths victory over Ballymac Finn (Liam Dowling), a semi-finalist last year, and Blake Delight (Kevin Boon) to set the standard.

The victory eased the sense of disappointment felt by the McNairs and the KSS Syndicate after Queen Joni, their multiple Category One winner, stumbled early on her way to exiting the competition at the first hurdle as the Graham Holland-trained Clonbrien Treaty, himself a multiple big-race winning tracker, impressed in winning heat 11.

Leading on the outside in the first heat of the night, the Easter Cup champion raced away for a four and three-quarter lengths success over El Tornillo (Dave Lee) and Faypoint Sean (Graham Holland) in 29.12sec (+10) to initiate a five-timer for the Hollands.

Their other winners were Romeo Steel, who edged out Ballymac Dapper (Liam Dowling) in heat 15 in 29.07sec (normal), last year’s finalist Swords Rex (28.99sec) who held the running-on Druids All Go (Patrick Janssens) in heat 16, Faypoint Susie (29.03sec) in heat 19 who led home kennelmate Newinn Port for a Holland one-two, and Gaytime Nemo.

Last year’s English Derby champion, bidding to add his name to a very short list of double winners, greatly impressed as he powered through rounding the last bend for a two and three-quarters lengths victory over Bluejig Baron (Dave Lee) and Droopys Suprstar (Mike Burton) in 29.14sec (normal) – and looks as good as ever.

Ireland were also on the mark with the John McGee-trained Hawkfield Blue in heat 13 as the July 2021 son of Good News and Brownstown Tango, a half sister of Patrick Janssens’ 2023 Arc Laurels champion, was soon bossing proceedings for a two and a half lengths victory over Droopys Pivotel (Maxine Locke) in a fast 28.82sec (+10).

Jamie McGee, representing his grandad, said of the seven-time Shelbourne winner: “He got it right at the traps and showed what he can do. We know he’s got the ability with some good runs at Shelbourne and has serious early gears but these are different traps with a different hare mechanism and some will handle it, others might not. He handled it.”

Pat Buckley added to a good night already for Irish-based runners after his Antigua Hawk caught the eye on UK debut in heat 18. Blasting to a 4.04sec sectional – only Bettys Jack’s 4.01sec and King Memphis’s 4.03sec was quicker on the night – the April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Mystical Moll made all from Wolf Moon (Jill Llewellin) by three and a quarter lengths in 28.81sec (normal).

The remaining heats were won by Patrick Janssens’ Droopys Supply, who made all from the staying-on Burj Khalifa (Diane Henry) in heat 14 in 29.11sec (+10) and the John Mullins-trained Wrighty, who was fast-to-stride and made all in heat 17 from Savana Aurora (Jason Gray) and 2022 runner-up Mr Chelm also in 29.11sec (normal).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=410999&raceId=1039171