Droopys Display delivered a career best performance when it mattered most at Central Park Stadium on Saturday when winning the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby.
Maxine Locke’s two-year-old black dog scooped the night’s feature race when beating favourite King Memphis and breaking Central Park’s 491m track record by clocking 28.45 seconds.
It marked a first Category One victory for owners JR Racing Syndicate who enjoyed a double on the night as Lemon Anton was first past the post in the Arena Racing Company Maiden Standard Trophy, worth £1,000 to the winner.
Dave Lee’s El Tornillo finished third after breaking level with the eventual winner while Droopys Manowar, Atomic Crimes and Havana Top Note were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Jack Russell of the JR Racing Syndicate said he had never experienced a buzz which could be compared to the moment when Droopys Display crossed the line in front.
“This is our first Category One win – there’s no feeling like it,” said Jack. “Both our greyhounds broke well and (Droopys) Display turned clear around the first turn.
“When he went round the first turn in front, I thought he would win. But it was a superb final with some real high quality greyhounds. He’s broken the track record too, which is the icing on the cake.
“So much work goes into training and caring for these greyhounds behind the scenes. It’s seven days a week, early starts and late finishes in all seasons. Nights like Saturday make it all worthwhile.
“We rested him over the summer and brought him back for this competition. We knew he had a run like that in his locker, and he’s done it – he picked the right night to do it!
“Maxine (Locke, trainer) left for a quick holiday today and landed just before the race started. She screamed the plane down and couldn’t be happier – I’m so pleased for everyone involved.”
Elsewhere on the all Open Race card, local trainer Spencer Mavrias won the £1,000 Arena Racing Company Sprint Trophy final with King Marvin. Spencer doubled up earlier on the card with Teachers Class who took the Arena Racing Company Maiden Trophy.
A new marathon distance race – run over 946m – was held for the first time too with Tom Levers’ Beach Babe landing the Premier Greyhound Racing Marathon in 58.82 seconds.
Other local winners included Tony Collett’s duo Outdoor Cracker and Turbine Tilly who won the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Trophy and Arena Racing Company Novice Stayer Trophy respectively.
Walderslade trainer Daniel Brabon was on the podium too with Rewind Daisy in the Arena Racing Company Sprint Trophy while Barry O’Sullivan won the Premier Greyhound Racing Bitches with Empress of Rome and Premier Greyhound Racing Standard Trophy with Farneys Joe.
Racing continues at Central Park Stadium on Saturday and Tuesday evenings for the remainder of the year. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant spaces are available to book online by clicking here.
Racing begins at 6.14pm on Tuesdays and 6.37pm on Saturdays.
