Underground Greyhounds syndicate could mine for gold at Central Park

Picture from Nottingham Dogs X feed

Olympic gold bid also a possibility

Underground Gold has the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park as his next major target before a possible crack at the Coral Olympic at Hove.

The Arc Select Stakes hero, who struck gold in the famous one-off for Romford handler Paul Young and the Underground Greyhounds syndicate at Colwick Park last week, is the apple of his trainer's eye - and of Alan Heard, who runs the Underground Greyhounds syndicate.

Reflecting on the win at Nottingham, Heard said of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby winner at Monmore back in March: "It was fantastic for all at Paul's kennel who do such an amazing job - and for the ten of us in the Gold syndicate. We're all massively enjoying the ride, myself especially.

"I never thought I'd get another one like him. I had a share in Droopys Ward who ran second in the Derby - he was some dog, but Gold is right up there too. He's a different sort of dog with so much speed and, like Paul, we knew he was special right from the start.

"He’s going for the Kent Derby. Then we'll see how he comes out of the competition to see where we go next - with Paul mapping out a plan as ever. It's definitely one step at a time, but I suppose Hove and the Olympic is a possibility, too.

"Gold's main aim will always be next year's Derby.

"Paul says he'll be kept fresh for that and not over-raced. He ran well in the early rounds this year, but then there was a slight issue which probably meant he wasn't quite at his best ultimately, but to still make the quarters as a pup was an achievement.

"He produced a great run to win the Select Stakes which showed again what a great job Paul and Miriam and the team are doing - and I’m over the moon for them as well. To win two massive races - the Select Stakes and the Monmore Puppy Derby - which Paul had never won before means so much, not just for me, but the whole team - because these were team wins.

"But to have Paul win them both with an Underground dog is even more special for myself and the other syndicate members.

"Gold is definitely the best dog I’ve ever owned or been involved with. He has the early pace, the middle, and stays. He's the whole package and, when he gets it together as he showed in the Monmore Puppy Derby, the early rounds of the Derby and the Select Stakes, he’s hard to beat.

"The team love him. We all know the highs and lows in this game - we saw that at Nottingham - so when you’re on a high, you have to live the dream. Let's hope it continues."