KING MEMPHIS kept it in the family when emulating litter brother King Capaldi’s fastest-of-the-night effort in the heats by matching that feat in the semi-finals of the RPGTV Cowley Puppy Collar at Oxford on Friday.

While King Capaldi would exit the competition in the second semi, King Memphis set the standard as the December 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Beyonce justified prohibitive 2-11 favouritism, railing into the lead at the first bend after riding a bump before going on for a three-length win over Golden Palace (Michelle Brown) and Droopys Hanover (Kevin Hutton).

The winning time for the 450m distance was 26.60sec (normal), with the performance ensuring the McNairs have a chance of repeating their victory with the brilliant and now retired Fromposttopillar in the GBGB Category One event 12 months ago.

Cat Island enjoyed the distinction of posting the fastest sectional of the night when setting a furious tempo in the second semi. Quickly away, the 36-kilo December 2021 son of Pat C Sabbath and Illa Tahin was in charge throughout as he crossed the line a length and a half in front of Queen Dusty, a second McNair-trained finalist, and Long Fellow (Matt Dartnall) in 26.79sec (normal).

Winning trainer Mark Wallis was delighted with the performance of Cat Island who lines up from trap one in Friday’s £10,000-to-the-winner final and feels the draw could prove significant in the destination of outright honours.

He said: “First off, he’s got to come away again but if so might use the inside to his advantage. He’s been starting well and, if anything if getting stronger. He was caught on the softer going by Michelle’s dog (Golden Palace) in the heats but conditions suited him more in the semis and he’s run well.

“We’re looking forward to a busy weekend. Cat’s in the Oxford final on Friday, while Ballymac Taylor goes in the match race at Romford against Paul Young’s bitch (Bubbly Inferno) the same might, which should be fun, then on Saturday we’ve got Quarteira in the Scurry Gold Cup Final at Perry Barr.

“We won the Scurry for the first time last year with Gougane Jet so, of course, it’d be nice to win it again, although it looks a good final and we know with sprinters the margins are small but he’s doing great for us and the MWD Partnership, so fingers crossed.”

Trap draw for Friday’s RPGTV Cowley Puppy Collar Final: https://oxford-stadium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FRI-27TH-OCT-RPGTV-PUPPY-COLLAR-ADVANCED-CARD.pdf