ROMEO TOMCAT marched to a tenth straight success at Hove on Sunday in the second semi-final of the Coral Gold Collar and will line up as odds-on favourite for the Category One showpiece this weekend.

Trained by Patrick Janssens and already winner of the PricedUp.Bet Derby Plate at Towcester, the Yorkshire Derby at Doncaster and the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park, the British-bred June 2023 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Fabulous Spirit eyes a fourth major success in Sunday’s £10,000 decider.

Leading at the bend after pacing up into contention as his rivals crowded inside, Romeo Tomcat was soon clear and on his way to a five and quarter lengths win in 28.70sec (+10), less than a length and half off the 500m clock set by Proper Heiress in the heats the week before.

Runner-up here and into the final was Antigua Kestrel (Kevin Hutton) who edged out the running-on Kilmore Dancer (Mark Wallis).

The victory of Romeo Tomcat completed a double for the Janssens team after Slick Sentinel’s success in the first semi – a contest which saw both English Derby champion Droopys Plunge and Irish Derby finalist Proper Heiress both bow out of the famous event.

The latter had been eyeing a third major Hove win after wins in the Coral Olympic and Coral Sussex Cup but was only moderately away and was squeezed up into the turn, allowing the six-boxed Slick Sentinel to pace up and sweep round in front along with fast-starting outsider Noellie (Paul Young).

With Droopys Plunge losing his position into the turn, kennelmate Slick Sentinel and Noellie skipped clear of the crowded-out pack behind and the former, an August 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice, crossed the line a half a length in front of Noellie, with hot favourite Proper Heiress a length further back but eliminated in third.

Commenting on the double, Janssens said: “Both Slick Sentinel and Tomcat ran great. They are still, I think, very underrated dogs – maybe Tomcat is getting recognised more now for his winning run. But Sentinel is just so consistent and I’m delighted for Keith (Allsop, owner) and Dave (Firmager), too. 

“Myself and Cheryl are away soon so it’ll be nice to take the Gold Collar trophy with us! But it’s a great race and you take nothing for granted – just look at Sunday! But Plunge will be back with a few one-offs probably the plan when we return. He’ll not run in the Eclipse.”

Droopys String upset the odds in the third semi as Carl Gardiner’s 18-1 chance made a fast start from his midfield pitch and cut loose.

Leading odds-on favourite Headford Dane (Maxine Locke), the local hope soon and impressively had his rivals under pressure and kept up the gallop to the line, the September 2023 son of Signet Ace and Droopys Ant winning by a length from the fast-finishing Rackethall Brute (Mark Wallis), who edged out Headford Dane for the qualifying slot.

Trap draw for Sunday’s Coral Gold Collar Final: 1 Rackethall Brute, 2 Droopys String, 3 Antigua Kestrel, 4 Noellie, 5 Romeo Tomcat (m), 6 Slick Sentinel (w).