QUEEN DUSTY helped Liz and Rab McNair and the KSS Syndicate complete a brilliant double when landing a thrilling and ultimately last-gasp success in the Bet365 Puppy Oaks Final at Towcester.

Having won the English Puppy Derby with King Memphis, in which the Kent-based husband and wife had the first four home, it was fourth-placed Queen Dusty who now triumphed in the bitches-only version for pups with a game effort to grab gold in the GBGB Category One annual, worth £10,000 to the final.

All had looked set fair for Queen Dusty as the January 2022 daughter of King Turbo and Queen Charlotte had broken well, far better than when very slowly away in the semis. A fast finish grabbed a qualifying spot then, but this time victory was well within her sights as she loomed upsides leader Deelish Nora down the back and took up the running.

Seemingly in pole position thereafter, Queen Dusty then swung off wide at the final bend which allowed the Patrick Janssens-trained Deelish Nora to take up the running again before Queen Dusty straightened up and wore down her younger rival, getting up in the shadow of the post for a short-head success in 29.75sec (-20).

Third place went to another Janssens runner in La Gitana, but success on the day went to Queen Dusty, the McNairs, and Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate – and Rab McNair, husband of the winning trainer Liz, was naturally delighted.

“I thought she’d lost it but she’s so game and deserved that. She was in the Puppy Derby final here behind our King Memphis and the Puppy Collar final at Oxford behind Matt’s (Dartnall) dog (Long Fellow). She also made the Romford Puppy Cup final behind David’s (Mullins, Romeo Crusade), so that’s some record for a young bitch.

“She turns two years of age next month so we’re likely to step her up to 575m at Romford and the (Coral) Essex Vase. It’s just great for her to win a competition like this in what was a busy weekend for us with runners at Oxford and Hove. We got runners through to the finals of both, so you can’t ask for much more.

“Brendan (Keogh) always said these pups might be the best we’ve had and the Queen Beyonce litter and the Queen Charlotte litter are doing us proud – and Liz must take the credit. She whelped them down, nursed them with their mums, and brought the pups up. Seeing them do what they’re doing is brilliant. It’s why we do it.”