Texas Jack shines in Kent Derby semis

Texas too hot for his Kent Derby rivals

Texas Jack went quickest as the PGR Kent Derby reached the semi-final stage at Central Park on Saturday night.

The Richard Rees-trained wide seed was quick away before pacing up into an early lead and he never looked like getting caught thereafter.

The 10/11 favourite came home four and a half lengths clear of Zenith Imminent to score in 28.59 (-10).

Romeo Tomcat just prevailed in a duel with Headford Dane at the head of affairs in the third semi-final.

Headford Dane got first run but was closely followed by Romeo Tomcat and the pair were well clear of the remainder as they went head to head down the back straight.

It was Patrick Janssens’ 5/4 chance who edged in front on the run in and he went on to score by half a length in 28.80 (-10).

Acejukeboxpopper sprang a 16/1 surprise when landing the other semi-final by nearly 10 lengths from the well-fancied Bombay Pat.

The latter couldn’t get across from trap five and, as things got messy at the first bend, Acejukeboxpopper missed the trouble on the inside and scooted into the lead.

John Mullins’ charge quickly raced clear and put serious daylight between himself and the rest of the field, eventually scoring in 29.17 (-10) as Bombay Pat got up for second.

Janssens recorded a treble on the card as Romeo Empire justified 2/13 favouritism with ease over 664m in 40.43 (-15), while his kennelmate Slick Skylark struck over 491m at 7/4 in 29.23 (-10).

Rees landed a double on the night as Crossfield Enzo (11/10fav) won in 29.09 (-10) by making first run count to score with ease from the front.

Luke Morrison’s Footfield Sully (9/2) kicked the night off with a victory in 29.61 (-10), while Woodys Wonder (10/11fav) was a wide-margin winner over 664m for Julie Luckhurst in 40.78 (-15).

King Presley (2/7fav) made all in style over 277m in 16.00 (-5) for Liz McNair, while the Spencer Mavrias-treained Queen Marie also won a sprint in 16.29 (-15) at 4/1.

Barry O’Sullivan got on the scoresheet when Fastlane Blu won a 491m maiden in 29.76 (-10), before Graham Holland made the journey across the Irish Sea worthwhile as Riverside Popsie won well as a 10/11 favourite in 28.97 (-10).

Tell On Aimee won the concluding contest at 7/1 in 29.43 (-10).

Brown on fire at Doncaster

Michelle Brown was in sparkling form at Doncaster as she landed an open-race five-timer.

Essex Tiger (evens fav) kicked things off for the kennel with a sprint success in 17.17 (-10), before Roanna Mamba (7/4) ran out a facile sprint winner in 16.73 (-10) and Clonoon Ansar (evens fav) also won over the 275m trip in 17.15 (-10).

Brown also registered victories courtesy of Tomahawk (9/4) over 450m in 28.01 (-20) and Gopthic Opera (4/5fav) over two bends in 17.34 (-10).

Dave Fradgley recorded a double as Stonepark Wes (2/5fav) landed the odds with plenty to spare over 483m in 29.65 (-20) and Daring Moaner (evens fav) made all over 661m in 42.03 (-30).

Clona Bingo was a comfortable winner at 5/2 over 483m for Kirsty Grayson in 29.83 (-20).

Double aplenty at Yarmouth

There were seven opens on Yarmouth’s afternoon card and three trainers completed doubles at the seaside venue.

Erica Samuels struck with Miss Bossy (11/4fav) over 277m in 16.32 (+10) and Kereight Fraud (5/1) over 659m in 40.05 (+30), while Craig Morris was in the winner’s enclosure courtesy of 462m victors Droopys Metaphor in 27.38 (+20) and Who Dares Wins (2/5fav) in 27.41 (+20).

Sharon Knights hit the mark with Romantic Storm at 8/1 in 27.61 (+20) and 659m winner Pavilion Colleen (5/2) in 39.92 (+30).

Linda Brown won the other open race on the card with Rolo Sabbath (2/1jf), who made all over 462m in 27.59 (+20).

Upcoming opens

Sunday: Sheffield-Star Pelaw

Monday: Nottingham