Ashford’s Rab McNair believes there is more to come from kennel star King Memphis after he lowered Central Park Stadium’s 491m track record.

The English Greyhound Derby finalist completed preparations for today’s (Saturday) opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby with another near-faultless display last weekend, clocking 28.73sec to make him ante-post favourite for the competition.

Worth £20,000 to the winner, the Kent Derby is the county’s richest greyhound race and was first held at Central Park in 2000.

Trainer Rab and his partner Elizabeth have won the competition once before, with King Turbo in 2018, and the couple are hopeful of their chances of victory this year with four greyhounds representing the kennel on Saturday. King Memphis runs in heat five.

“There’s more to come from him, I’m confident of that,” said Rab. “We felt he needed a good break after the Derby which is the ultimate challenge for any greyhound.

“He’s coming back to himself and we’re seeing a difference in him with every run. The Kent Derby has been his main target for autumn and it’s a competition we love. It’s our local track and where the journey begins for all our dogs so to win it again would be great.

“He’s won both his trial stakes, so right now we’re in a good place and looking forward to Saturday’s opening round.”

Also representing the McNairs are Hunt Cup champion Havana Top Note, Winter Derby finalist King Sydney and new recruit Keylogues Runner.

Finishing in the top three of each race will secure qualification to the following week’s semi-finals, with the £20,000 final scheduled for Saturday, October 19. The kennel’s attention will be focused on the Midlands, too, this weekend as Queen Joni, Queen Shakira and Queen Dusty run in the opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, also worth £20,000.

Rab added: “Havana Top Note is a special greyhound and every time he puts his paws on the track he gives it his all. The way he’s running right now, it’s worth him being in the competition.

“Keylogues [Runner] is new to the kennel and we’re still learning about him each day. I’m hoping he’ll progress nicely for us and the Kent Derby is a good opportunity for him to show us what he’s made of.

“[King] Sydney has had his ups and downs but has run nicely in a few sprint trials. He hasn’t quite shown that sparkle in the trial stakes but he has been off for a while so maybe he’s needed a couple of races to get back in the rhythm.

“It’s a busy weekend with the Oaks beginning, too. Twelve years have passed since we last won the competition and we’d love to do it again.”

Tickets for round one of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. Doors open at 5.30pm with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.

Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby round one draw:

Heat 1: Romeo Kingpin, Russmur Roddick, Breaghmore Paudy, Monleek Peru, Keylogues Runner, Droopys Doughnut.
Heat 2: Romeo Steel, Newinn Syd, So Its Milo, King Sydney, Coolavanny Sissy, Newinn Benni.
Heat 3: Havana Top Note, Farneys Joe, Droopys Manowar, Uncle Freddie, No More Biscuits, Beach Bull.
Heat 4: Skirk Allcash, Brynoffa Bambi, Tintreach Trueno, Outdoor Cracker, King Stevens, Rosstemple Davey.
Heat 5: King Memphis, Asbo Lenny, Crossfield Enzo, Tintreach Tulip, Cinderella Tell, Harriestown Lee.
Heat 6: Cooliogold, Farmway Shady, El Tornillo, Droopys Display, Atomic Crimes, Twist of Cain.