Autumn options open for Scooby The Lady

Kent Derby not Oaks for Scooby?

Scooby The Lady has the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby as her main target - and possibly not the Oaks at Dunstall Park - after returning to the track with a fast sprint trial before racing at Hove.

Narrowly beaten by Strike It Skye in a thrilling Derby Consolation at Towcester in June, Richard Rees' record-breaking Kent Plate winner has not raced since but followed up a 16.24 (-10) trial in late June with a 16.20 (-5) spin back at the Sussex circuit on Thursday.

"She's pretty much matched her time in June after a few more weeks off and she's come off in great shape, so we're pretty happy with her," said Hove handler Rees.

"Central Park does seem to be her favourite track and I'd say we're 99 per cent going there. Unfortunately the Oaks clashes with the Kent Derby which seems crazy - certainly for a bitch of her calibre - but it is what it is.

"What's most important is preparing her for a return race but a trial at Central Park will probably happen down the line, although there's no huge rush at this stage."

Scooby The Lady, who set a track record of 28.40 when winning the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate at Central Park in March when leading home Greyhound of the Year Proper Heiress, made the Derby semi-finals at Towcester after a series of top-notch performances. 

Crowded out at the semi-final stage behind Hackney Corner, Scooby The Lady returned on final night for a race-of-the-night contender in the Consolation.

The Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby closes to entries at noon on September 29 with six heats over 491m at the Sittingbourne venue on Saturday, October 3.

The semi-finals take place on Saturday, October 10 with the £20,000-to-the-final on Saturday, October 17.