QUEEN JONI led home Queen Dusty for a brilliant home-bred one-two for Liz McNair in the Coral Brighton Belle Final at Hove on Saturday as the Central Park handler warmed up for this weekend’s Trainers’ Judgement Night in the best possible style.

With the McNairs’ Derby favourite King Memphis also winning on the south coast card and a number of the kennel impressing in supporting contests and in trials, Brendan Keogh of the owning KSS Syndicate says the team is in “good shape” ahead of the six-trainer shootout at the Sussex venue.

“Queen Joni and King Memphis are our top two, of course, along with King Capaldi, and we couldn’t be more happier with them all,” said Keogh, who was joined at Hove on Saturday by Simon Senyk and Ian Openshaw and their families as Queen Joni added a fourth Category One success to her burgeoning CV.

The exceptional December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Queen Jessiej faced a tough ask on paper against favourite Crafty Shivoo (Mark Wallis) given a midfield slot but a smart break from trap four and her searing early dash soon had her rivals under pressure in the £10,000-to-the-winner bitches-only decider.

Clear into the turn, Queen Joni was followed by kennelmate Queen Dusty. The latter had actually broken in front but could not match Queen Joni’s turn of foot which ultimately sealed her a fourth Category One title to add to victories already gained in the BGBF Produce Stakes at Swindon, British Bred Derby at Sheffield and Arc Kent Plate at Central Park.

Racing away down the far side, Queen Joni never looked in any danger and crossed the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of Queen Dusty, with Allowdale Cazoo (Nathan Hunt) keeping on well to take third behind the 30.30sec winner.

The performance delighted Keogh who paid tribute to Rab and Liz McNair and to Queen Joni herself after another big-race success for the kennel who have enjoyed a good start to the year with a number of major wins.

“It’s always great to win these competitions, especially when you have watched them grow up at the kennels – and Liz was there at the start whelping Jessiej down, of course. It makes it even more special and the litters continue to do us proud.

“Joni just has the most incredible will-to-win. She’s always had something about her and, come rain or shine, wants to win. We knew only her best would do in such a great field – and she’s produced her best when it mattered and well done to Rab and Liz.

“There’s been a few nights when we’ve had to be at two tracks the same night, so it was nice we were all there on Saturday and many thanks to the sponsors and to Hove’s management for their hospitality. There was a great atmosphere at the track – just how a big Saturday night’s racing should be.

“We couldn’t be happier but we’re now looking forward to Saturday. We’ve never won a Trainers’ Judgement Night or Trainers’ Championship Meeting as it was, so that’d be nice – and it’s always a great event and occasion. We’ve not been in too many and had to withdraw a few times, but this year we’ve a good spread and team of runners and will give it go!”