Romeo Tomcat claims the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby

A third Kent Derby win for Patrick Janssens

Romeo Tomcat proved too good for his Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby rivals on Saturday night. He had to brave to force himself to the front early on between a pair of rivals before having to dig deep to see off the relentless challenge from Texas Jack who had headed the Patrick Janssens-trained winner down the back. Headford Dane and Bombay Pat filled third and fourth in what was a hugely classy final. Romeo Tomcat followed Bockos Alfie and Kilara Lion as winners of the race for Janssens. 

“I’m over the moon for the greyhound,” said Janssens.  “Winning the Doncaster Derby was special, but the Kent Derby is a proper Category One competition so we’re delighted. 

“He started his career here too with an 18-length win in a maiden race, so it does mean that bit more. He’s a versatile greyhound too, and has won at Towcester, Nottingham, Doncaster and Central Park since last being beaten nine races ago. 

“The galloping tracks suit him to a tee and our big target in the long run will be next year’s English Greyhound Derby. We might look at the Gold Cup at Hove in the short-term though, I’ll speak to Dave (Firmager, owner) to work out the plan – he was straight on the phone with the thumbs up after he won. 

“The Kent Derby has been a great competition for us so to win it for a third time means a lot. We had a great draw with trap three (Headford Dane) a railer and trap five (Texas Jack) a wide runner beside us. 

“We turned the bend in front and knew from there we had a fantastic chance, and he pulled it out of the bag.”

Janssens has also seen Slick Skylark on the mark before the big final, getting the better of the Graham Holland-trained Riverside Popsie. Holland did manage a winner himself with Bockos Sapphire landing a six-bend contest.

King Presley has enjoyed an outstanding year on home soil, adding a 13th win for 2025 over the 277m distance. Liz McNair's track record holder has 18 open race wins overall for the year, tied for the most in the country alongside Mongys Wild, Acomb Felix and Romeo Steel.

There was a double on the night for Paul Donovan. Fastlane Hoffa picked up a sprint open early on the night, with Cinderella Tell completing the brace over 491m. 

 Other winners on the card were Ciaras Treasure for Katie O'Flaherty, Lets Go Girl for Spencer Mavrias, Coppice Dakota for Luke Morrison, Ballyhimikin Jet for Jamie Kingsley and Burgess Sailor for Nick Carter. 

A pair of Cat Twos decided on Star Pelaw Festival night 

It was an excellent evening for the Tom Heilbron team, headlined by the Untold Racing Stewards Cup win for Ballymac Sargie. He had shown excellent early gears to lead up the track specialist Emilys Superstar heading into the opening bend and from there, it was always going to be very tough for any of his rivals to get back into the contest. 

Unanimous Leon was the other winner for Heilbron, clocking an impressive 25.33 over the 435m trip. It was the quickest time of 2025 over four bends at the track for the multiple Category One finalist who had endured a torrid run around in the opening round of the SR Transport Rose Bowl.

The final of that Category Two went to Hillside Lily for Martin Stout. She didn't need to go as quick as she had back in April when she clocked the fourth fastest of the year but she was a popular local winner, just finding enough to hold off Glenn Foot's Dreamin Porscha.

Foot has been raking in the winners of late at Star Pelaw, producing another treble on the card. Marleypark Ken opened the night with a winner before Ballinabola Eve and Burrow Bell added to the winning tally.

Diane Henry made the trip up to County Durham worthwhile with Savanaregimental taking out the 780m contest. The two sprints on the card went to Bitzer Maloney for Matthew Watson and Chloe Hardy's Bramble Nickeen. Dean Blackbird had the other winner on the card with Killieford Goram.

Doncaster treble for Michelle Brown

Doncaster is proving to be a happy hunting ground for Michelle Brown in recent weeks. Roanna Mamba backed up an impressive sprint win last week with another, with Pro Parker adding his name to the sprint winners on the night. Golden Palace closed out the night with a defeat of Daring Moaner to complete the hat-trick of wins in the final three races.

Jimmy Gaskin had a double courtesy of Clonoon Ansar and Daleroad Dasher. The former was on debut for Gaskin having been a winner the previous week for Brown. Kinsley's handicap specialist Ballymac Alyssa picked up a 483m win for Beverley Heaton with  Brinkleys Louis and Foxwood Carter successful in the other pair of Neil Chapman and Ricky Overton respectively. 

Outdoor is a Yarmouth cracker for Samuels

Just the three opens at Yarmouth but there was an impressive win for Erica Samuels's Outdoor Cracker. It was his first open race win of the year over the 462m trip to go with a couple that he has picked up in recent months over the 659m trip. Kilara Reaper won the other four-bend open on the card for Irene Barnard while Two Slip Jigs won the sprint for Jason Bloomfield. 

Upcoming Opens

Sunday: Sheffield

Monday: Nottingham

Friday: Dunstall Park ♦ Romford ♦ Sunderland