QUEEN GEORGIA set out her stall to emulate kennelmate and last year’s winner Havana Top Note by setting a new track record for Oxford‘s 650m trip in the heats of the bet365 Challenge Cup.

And supporters will be hoping Liz McNair’s bitch goes on to win the £10,000 competition, just as Havana Top Note did 12 months ago after himself breaking the track record in the heats.

Quickly into stride on her way to a fastest-of-the-night 14.91sec sectional, the British-bred was never headed and dipped inside Havana Top Note’s best for the trip with a 37.19sec (-20) effort – even more impressive given conditions were deemed slow on the night – as she led home Cooladerry Dust (Nathan Hunt) by two and a quarter lengths.

Next quickest was the Mark Wallis-trained New Destiny as the Coral Coronation Cup and Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes heroine shot clear early in heat four for a three and three-quarter lengths win over Swift Giddy (Jason Gornall) in 39.33sec (-20).

Oaks finalist Coppice Ella struck for Kevin Hutton in the opening heat, leading off the second bend for a two-length success over last year’s returning finalist Lively Lauren in 39.79sec (-30), before the latter’s trainer Matt Dartnall grabbed gold with Carols Hero in heat two.

Soon in front, the November 2021 son of Broadstrand Bono streaked clear for a four and a quarter length win over Fabulous Dyna (Laurence Tuffin) in heat two in 39.96sec (-20).

The remaining heats were won by Robin Jury’s Gagas Merry, who edged out Riverside Shari (Nathan Hunt) by a head in 39.64sec (-20), before Michelle Brown’s Golden Palace raced away for a comfortable success in heat six, scoring by over six and a quarter lengths from Mad For Sterling (Mark Wallis), last year’s bet365 Challenge Cup runner-up, in 39.58sec (-20) for the 650m trip.

James Chalkley, Oxford’s director of racing, said: “It was a great night’s racing at Oxford which the entry always suggested it might well be!

“We were delighted to get the full quota of runners despite what is a busy time for the stayers just now.

“As expected, Liz and Rab McNair have a strong hand and their Queen Georgia was really impressive with a new track record the icing on the cake. The McNairs won it last year with Havana Top Note which, if you remember, was one of a host of big-race victories they had in the last few months.

“If memory serves me, they had Queen Dusty winning the (Bet365) Puppy Oaks at Towcester and King Memphis the (Coral) Olympic in the same week, so they tend to get into the Christmas spirit with lots of winners!

“Looking at the semis, there are some great clashes and places in the final will not be easy, plus a good card will also include the final of the BetGoodwin Series Maiden Cup Final – and that looks a cracker, too.”