KING TURBO produced a sensational performance in the first round of the Servoca Nursing & Care British Bred Derby at Towcester on Tuesday – setting the standard in the competition in heat two with a flying 29.02sec return, the fastest of the six heats.

Trained by Liz McNair, the 2015 son of Leamaneigh Turbo and Wee Tiger Tots lined up in heat two as a warm order to oblige – and didn’t disappoint. Pacing up well, he was soon clear and won by seven and a half lengths to initiate a treble for the Kent-based handler.

Equally impressive wins for fellow home-breds King Eden (29.11sec) and Queen Izzy (29.58sec) helped make it a good night for the husband and wife training team, who also qualified King Elvis behind John Mullins’ Romeo Mandate (29.39sec) and Queen Dawn.

Rab McNair said: “I’m delighted with them all. Elvis will have needed the run. That was his first race after Henlow, although we know he probably needs a fast track to get home over this trip – and we’ve always thought the world of Turbo.

“You have to remember he beat Elvis in a trial at Swindon, so this dog can run! He made a mistake at Swindon, we know that, which is why I gave him the wide seed to keep him away from bother, but the lads [KSS Syndicate, owners] told me I’d got it wrong.

“They said make him unseeded and they were right, I was wrong! He’s done it well, as did Eden. When he comes away he’s not generally beaten and making him a middle seed also helps, and Tony Collett has done a fantastic job with Izzy.

“She’s come through the grades at Central Park well for Tony and the lads, and that education has been vital for her. Dan Brabon also does a fantastic job with our youngsters – he helps them learn the trade,” he added.

Rushbrook Rocco struck for David Mullins in heat five as the 575m Romford winner kept on well to hold Barry Denby’s Alfies Rocco by half a length in 29.45sec, while race of the night was undoubtedly in the sixth and concluding qualifier.

It featured the clash between recent British Breeders Stakes hero Candelight Fire and Romeo Desperado, and it was the former, trained by Elaine Parker, who continued his fine run when following up his Notts success with an all-the-way win.

However, the John Mullins-trained Romeo Desperado never gave up and got to within a neck of the Sheffield raider at the line, the winner posting 29.33sec for the 500m trip, and impressing racing manager Chris Page, who was delighted with the night’s action.

“It’s been a great night of racing to kick-start a busy week for us with the Puppy Derby and the TV Trophy and we were delighted with the entry for the British Bred Derby in the first place – Liz and Rab have a great team, and they’ve had a great night.

“They qualified five of their six entries for the semis and two Kings, Eden and Turbo, were the most impressive, but King Elvis struggled to see out the 500m trip here, but clearly has lots of speed and nothing is likely to lead him.

“Dave Mullins’ Rushbrook Rocco and Elaine Parker’s Candlelight Fire began their campaigns with good performances, while it was a pretty good night for John Mullins with Romeo Mandate winning and Desperado running a good race behind Candlelight Fire.”

Draw for Saturday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Dunham Orlando, 2 Queen Izzy, 3 King Turbo, 4 Lowgate Sirius (m), 5 Romeo Desperado (m), 6 Candlelight Fire (m).

Second semi: 1 Honest John, 2 Lowgate Belatrix, 3 King Elvis, 4 Romeo Mandate (m), 5 King Eden (m), 6 Westmead Turbo (m).

Third semi: 1 Let Me Tell You, 2 Alfies Prince, 3 Queen Dawn (m), 4 Rushbrook Rocco (m), 5 Thameside Bound (m), 6 Makos Boy (w).