DOOLIN DUKE began a fantastic and record-breaking 20 minutes for Irish trainer Pat Buckley when winning the RPGTV Derby Plate – coming as it did the race before Deerjet Sydney’s Derby Final success.

A GBGB Category Two event for runners knocked out in the first and second rounds of the Classic, Doolin Duke had powered through the rain to star on the Saturday of first-round night before being crowded out in the second round behind Coolavanny Chick.

However, he was back to winning ways in the semi-finals of the RPGTV Derby Plate having been edged out by Vixons Lad (Brian Thompson) in the heats – and then produced a superb burst of early pace in the £4,000 final to soon have the race in safe keeping.

Always in front after a snappy exit (4.94sec sectional), the July 2018 son of Laughil Duke and Coolavanny Pearl was never headed as he won by seven lengths in 29.21sec from Catunda Logan (John McGee) ahead of Faughan Rebel (Richard Yeates) for an Irish 1-2.

Doolin Duke’s victory was the middle leg of a brilliant treble for owner Kenny Glen given Deerjet Sydney would win the Derby in the very next race and Gonzo had won the Arc Trophy in the race before. All told, it was an extraordinary 35 minutes-plus for Glen.

Trained by Julie Bateson, Ladbrokes Midland Gold Cup winner Gonzo had won his first-round heat of the Derby in good style before being knocked out at the second-round stage, after which his handler noticed a problem which meant he was not entered for the Derby Plate.

“He tweaked a muscle which was clear during that second-round heat,” she said. “He needed that extra couple of weeks and, while it was disappointing to miss the Derby Plate, it meant we could think about final night. We didn’t gallop him, he wasn’t off the lead at all, so it was some run.

“It’s always some achievement to win on Derby final night, but he’s a good dog and I’m very proud of him,” added Bateson after Gonzo, trained in Ireland by Pat Buckley, had made all to win by three and a quarter lengths in 29.61sec for the 500m trip, leading home Mark Wallis’s Hopes Bullet.

Runner-up then, the champion trainer did go one better in the inaugural The Westmead Legacy In Memory Of Natalie Savva Trophy Final, however.

Sponsored by the British Greyhound Breeders’ Forum, the British-bred showpiece on the card went to Wallis’s Agincourt Xena, who landed the GBGB Category Three spoils in all-the-way style after a fast break (5.00 sectional).

Soon clear, the July 2018 daughter of Blackstone Marco and Agincourt Xpress crossed the line almost two lengths clear of Kevin Ferguson’s Acomb Winston with King Axle (Liz McNair) back in third. The winning time was 29.69sec for the 500m.

Slightly quicker in the race before was Coolavanny Bani, who struck in the Starsports.bet Ladies Trophy for Angela Harrison.

The winner, a sister of Derby finalist Coolavanny Chick,  paced up to lead off a 4.96sec split to clock 29.66sec when leading home Aayamza Lexie (Mark Wallis).

A popular winner on the night was the victory of Kalamoun (28.79sec) who won the Star Sports The Gentleman’s Bookmaker Seniors Trophy over 480m in front-running style.

Originally trained by Charlie Lister OBE, success went to Charlie’s longtime assistant Chris Akers, himself now very much a successful trainer in his own right.

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=367325&raceId=684452