FAYES JET continued his march to the Ladbrokes Kent Derby Final when setting the standard with another authoritative display in Sunday’s first semi-final at Central Park.

Trained by Hove’s Stuart Maplesden, Fayes Jet had won his heat easily the previous week and, quickly away again, set a furious pace and was never headed as he won by five lengths from Camps Star (Paul Young) in 28.76sec (normal) for the 480m trip.

Ante-post favourite Bockos Doomie was next quickest as he made all in the third semi-final for Patrick Janssens and Irish Derby-winning owners Bev Lochead and Austin Whelan, racing clear to lead home Lenson John (Tony Collett) by two lengths in 28.82sec.

Winning trainer Patrick Janssens said: “Doomie is a very exciting greyhound who is only just two years old. He’s a 37-kilo greyhound nowhere near his peak and, for his first all-aged competition, he’s adapted very well.

“He shows great early and middle pace and likes Central Park. Now, having said that, we’ve got a tricky draw in the final – and it’s very good final, too. But he’s come out of the race well and we can now look forward to Sunday.

“Central Park is my home track and it would mean a lot to win it again as we won it with Bockos Alfie two years ago and was runner-up last year with Headford Johnny.”

The second semi went to the Kevin Hutton-trained Ballymac Osby who broke smartly and was never headed as he justified favouritism to lead home the Seamus Cahill-trained Forest Alan in 29.25sec (+40).

Central Park promoter Roger Cearns said: “Sunday’s final looks another cracking Ladbrokes Kent Derby Final and tops off a great event, which proved popular right from the very start.

“We had something like 65 entries for the competition this year – for a 36-greyhound event – so our racing office had their work cut out right from the start but did a great job. In the end all we could do was to apologise to those owners and trainers who missed out and look forward to their support in the future.

“It’s been a competitive event right from the start and still looks quite open on Sunday. Seeing the line-up for the finalists, the fact we’ve got the owners of the Irish Derby winner Lenson Bocko in opposite camps this time has made me smile.

“You’ve got Bev Lochead and Austin Whelan in one corner with Bockos Doomie and Lenny Ponder, along with John Proctor, with Lenson John in the other corner. What I would say is that all are loyal supporters of what we’re doing here at Central Park.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Fayes Jet, 2 Camps Star, 3 Bockos Doomie, 4 Lenson John, 5 Ballymac Osby, 6 Forest Alan (m).