MAXINE LOCKE notched a double in the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore on Saturday with Ballymac Kobe and Headford Dane.

However, the brilliance and sheer power of Racketball Brute will ensure Mark Wallis’s young star will be a warm order for the weekend’s £20,000 showpiece after again impressing in the semis.

Both Wallis and Locke will be doubly handed in the 480m annual, with Locke’s Ballymac Kobe and Headford Dane joined by Wallis’s Racketball Brute and the latter’s kennelmate Ballinakill Liam.

Semi-final night kicked off with victory for Racketball Brute who followed up his fastest-of-the-night heat effort seven days previously when also setting the standard in the semi-finals as he powered to the front approaching the third bend in the first semi-final before drawing right away for the spoils.

Crossing the line four lengths clear of Arthur Job (Patrick Godfrey), the April 2023 son of Confident Rankin and Taylor Kate stopped the clock in a superb 28.02sec (normal) for the 480m trip at the Wolverhampton venue.

Romford trainer Locke then notched a quickfire double as Ballymac Kobe struck in the second semi as he finished best to collar long-time leaders Swift Bullseye (Raymond Hale) and Uncle Ed (Paul Young), winning by half a length from the former in 28.31sec.

It means the Towcester Puppy Derby finalist, a May 2023 son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Merkle, has made a second Category One final.

Ballymac Kobe’s kennelmate Headford Dane then maintained his 100 per cent UK record when following up an impressive debut success in the third semi-final as the August 2023 son of Ballymac Bolger and Headford Honey came again on the run for home to edge out long-time leader Ballinakill Liam and Droopys Invent (Seamus Cahill) by a short-head and a head in the best finish of the night.

The victory for Headford Dane, the youngest runner in the line-up, particularly delighted winning trainer Maxine Locke.

“He lacks experience but not pace clearly,” said Locke of the youngster, who was unraced in Ireland but announced himself a real PGR Puppy Derby player when posting 28.30sec in a prep trial at Monmore.

“I’ve been delighted the way he just never gives up, which is a good trait in a pup. He’s been in proper races in heats and semi and will have learnt plenty.

“Kobe is just so consistent. He was second in the Puppy Derby at Towcester last year but didn’t quite handle Newcastle. He’s running Monmore a lot better and we know he’s bred to stay, so he’s another who just never gives up.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday now in what is a busy time for us. We’ve also got two runners in the (Coral) Golden Sprint semis at Romford, plus we’re taking a couple of ours over to Limerick for the Kirby Memorial.”