LIZ McNAIR continued her domination of the Arc Kent Plate by sending out five of the six heats winners of the Category One feature at Central Park on Saturday.

Having won the first running of the competition with Fromposttopillar last year when the event was staged over 500m, Saturday’s heats were staged over 491m following subsequent changes at the track – but in terms of results everything else has largely stayed the same!

Once again, the McNairs and the K.S.S. Syndicate dominated the Kent Plate with Queen Shakira posting the fastest time of the local kennel’s five-timer.

A December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Queen Beyonce, Queen Shakira was soon in charge with a slick 3.27sec sectional setting up a four and a quarter lengths success over Droopys Reserve (Maxine Locke) and Bet Shop Boy (Patrick Janssens). The winning time was 29.06sec (normal).

Two other members of the same litter also struck gold with King Capaldi scoring an impressive effort in heat four, railing into the lead at the first bend before going on to strike gold by two and a half lengths in 29.21sec (normal) from the staying-on Newinn Deejay (Mark Wallis) and Asbo Lenny (Paul Donovan).

Olympic champion King Memphis later made it a treble for the litter in the sixth and final heat as another trademark burst of pace to the bend secured a first-bend winning lead and a two and a quarter lengths victory in 29.34sec (normal) from Uncle Freddie (Richard Rees) and Singalong Stacey (Katie O’Flaherty).

The McNair five-timer also included victory for Produce Stakes champion Queen Joni who earlier edged ahead of fast-starting Drive On Lad (Richard Rees) at the bend in heat two before the December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Queen Jessiej crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Ballymac John and Drive On Lad in 29.21sec (normal).

Queen Joni’s litter sister later won heat five as a strong-running performance saw her reel in long-time leader and eventual third Miracle (Patrick Janssens) before holding Whyaye Man (Mark Wallis) by half a length in 29.36sec (normal).

The sole non-McNair trained heat winner was the Patrick Janssens-trained Slick Sabo as the Puppy Classic champion blasted to a fastest-of-the-night 3.21sec sectional on the way to a two-length victory for the September 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Kit over kennelmates Edwards and Druids All Go inn 29.65sec (normal).

Rob Killingbeck, racing manager at Central Park, said: “It was obviously a great night for the McNairs, although we did have concerns for Rab’s welfare after he played a blinder in helping out a faller but ended up pulling his hamstring in the process. However, I’m sure their runners eased any pain!

“King Capaldi is my pick for the Kent Plate. He’s a proper railer and will save valuable lengths on the inside. Queen Shakira clocked the fastest time but did have everything go her way and that might not be the case in the latter stages of the competition.

“The three semi-finals on Saturday are top notch and we’re looking forward to them.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s semis:-

First semi: 1 King Memphis, 2 Slick Sabo, 3 Drive On Lad, 4 Droopys Reserve, 5 Druids All Go, 6 Miracle (m).

Second semi: 1 Whyaye Man, 2 Queen Joni, 3 Ballymac John, 4 Edwards, 5 Asbo Lenny, 6 Bet Shop Boy (m).

Third semi: 1 Singalong Stacey, 2 King Capaldi, 3 Queen Georgia, 4 Queen Shakira, 5 Newinn Deejay (m), 6 Uncle Freddie (m).