TEXAS JACK and kennelmate Zenith Imminent will aim to repeat the kennel’s success in the event with Churchfield Syd two years ago after the Richard Rees-trained pair finished first and second in the first semi-final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park on Saturday – in the fastest time of the night.

A winner of five of his seven UK starts, the strapping Texas Jack, a May 2023 son of Coolavanny Hoffa and An Cailin Alainn, raced away off the back of a fast start to comfortably win the first semi-final on Saturday, winning by four and a half lengths from kennelmate Zenith Imminent in a slick 28.59sec (-10) for the 491m trip.

The victory delighted Charlie Rees, son of winning trainer Richard, who said: “We’re massively happy with Jack. He’s come on with every race since his layoff and took a massive step forward in his semi-final.

“We were actually delighted with him in the heats, especially the way he went down the back with Romeo Tomcat.

“Come the final he’ll need to be on his toes early but he’s got every chance.

“Zenith Imminent will only come forward again with races as the heat run was his first back from the cough – and we’re also delighted with him. We think he’s going to turn into a six-bend type but to make a Kent Derby final in only his fourth race for us is great.”

Like the Rees kennel, Maxine Locke is also looking to land a second Kent Derby success after Headford Dane reached his third Category One final with a close-up second to the Patrick Janssens-trained Romeo Tomcat, the pair producing a terrific head-to-head.

Headford Dane, winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby and Ladbrokes Gold Cup, led early here but failed to shake off Yorkshire Derby winner Romeo Tomcat, a June 2023 British-bred son of Dorotas Wildcat and Fabulous Spirit, who wore his rival down on the run for home in 28.80sec (-10).

Acejukeboxpopper, another British-bred, scored a 16-1 surprise in the second semi with the 36-kilo John Mullins-trained Yarmouth tracker taking his chance well with a slick exit and inside draw allowing the November 2022 son of Signet Ace and Popworld to escape scrimmaging behind which involved market leaders Bombay Pat and Romeo Alliance.

Going on for a nine and three-quarter length success, Acejukeboxpopper stopped the clock in 29.17sec (-10) with Irish star Bombay Pat (Graham Holland) just edging Romeo Alliance for the runner-up slot – and a place in Saturday’s £20,000 final – in second.

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: 1 Acejukeboxpopper, 2 Zenith Imminent, 3 Headford Dane, 4 Romeo Tomcat (m), 5 Texas Jack (w), 6 Bombay Pat (w).