SCOOBY THE LADY was once again quickest in the semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate at Central Park on Saturday with a near record-breaking run – but still has the defending champion to beat ahead of this weekend’s £12,500 final.

With Proper Heiress coming through a stiff test in his semi-final, back-to-back wins in the Category One event over 491m at the Sittingbourne venue for the reigning Greyhound of the Year is still very much on, but sharing the headlines after the semi-finals was definitely Richard Rees’s in-form tracker.

A January 2024 daughter of Grangeview Ten and Scooby Duchess, a litter sister of Romford Puppy Cup winner Scooby Diamond, fastest first round winner Scooby The Lady repeated the dose in the semis when coming through strongly approaching the third bend to catch leader Cinderella Tell (Paul Donovan).

Thereafter, the Hove bitch was away for a length and a half victory in the first semi-final from Cinderella Tell, who held the finish of Silverhill Adam (Mark Wallis) to claim a place in Saturday’s decider. The winning time was 28.47sec (normal), just two spots off the track record.

Semi-final night had started with success for Burrows Charm in the first semi as Jason Heath’s runner was soon in command and bossing proceedings as he accounted for hot favourite Droopys Graph (Patrick Janssens) who edged out kennemate Slick Sentinel for the all-important runner-up spot.

The winning time for the Hove raider, a September 2022 son of Vulturi and Seomra Oreo, was 28.67sec (normal) and the performance of last year’s Yarmouth Derby second delighted the winning trainer.

“He loves Central Park and won his semi-final on merit,” said Heath. “He formerly held the six-bend clock there and was runner-up at Yarmouth behind a good winner in Romeo Steel so is certainly comfortable in this sort of company.

“It’s a really good final and should be a great race. We’re very respectful of the other finalists, but he’s by no means a 12-1 chance!”

Defending champion Proper Heiress rounded off the semi-finals with another eye-catching display as he underlined his position as ante-post favourite with another authoritative display in winning heat three.

Up against dual Category One winner Headford Dane, a good performance was required and the brilliant September 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush delivered again with a slick start and first-bend lead setting up for a four-length success over Ballymac Axel (Maxine Locke) and his kennelmate Headford Dane.

The winning time for Proper Heiress was a slick 28.56sec (normal).

Trap draw for the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate Final: 1 Proper Heiress, 2 Burrows Charm, 3 Droopys Graph, 4 Scooby The Lady, 5 Ballymac Axel (m), 6 Cinderella Tell (w)