DEERJET SYDNEY set the fastest time of the Classic so far as he strengthened Irish trainer Pat Buckley’s hand in the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby with a brilliant performance in the second round at Nottingham on Saturday.

Well away and once again making a beeline for the rails, the June 2018 son of Droopys Sydney and Madgies Wish was soon in command and was never headed as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Troy Firebird, clocking 29.15sec (+30) – just ten spots outside Skywalker Logan’s best for the 500m trip, set in last year’s Derby.

The victory was the middle leg of a second-round treble for the Co. Tipperary handler, who is basing his English Derby campaign from the kennels of Hove handler June Harvey. Wins for Knocknaboul Syd (29.29sec +30) in heat one and Glengar Bale (29.35sec +20) in heat seven made it seven wins from eight Derby heats for the Buckley team.

His well-fancied Doolin Duke’s elimination in heat five is the only blot on the Buckley copybook in the English Derby so far – although seeing his trio in the same quarter-final on Saturday meant mixed feelings for the Cappawhite trainer afterwards.

“It’s not ideal, but we have to get on with it,” he said. “I can’t ask much more of them. It’s been a good campaign so far and thanks to June (Harvey) and the family for looking after us. We’re certainly here for another week and, with luck, you never know.

“Doolin Duke just missed the break – it sounded as if one of the runners charged the traps and he’s just missed it before pacing up but couldn’t get round – that’s racing. But I was delighted with the other three – Knocknaboul Syd and Deerjet Sydney both have great pace and Glengar Bale showed great trackcraft and strength to get the win.”

Graham Holland’s team enjoyed a mixed night, with the elimination of ante-post favourite Newinn Session and Feudal Spirit but seeing Lenson Bocko and Wolfe safely qualify from tough make-ups and positions – and Ballydoyle Valor win heat two after a strong-running effort to catch longtime leader Final Mad (Stuart Tighe) to win in 29.66sec (+30).

Nicky Holland, wife of the trainer, said of Ballydoyle Valor: “He stays well – he’s got form over 600 yards in Ireland – so you were always hopeful down the back. It’s disappointing to see Session out but we’ve three through to the quarter-finals – and Riverside Honey’s come over for the ride, too! She a mum now has has trialled back really well twice here now.

“If we’re still here, she’ll be part of the team on final night!,” added Holland.

Two other Irish-trained winners on the night strengthened the Emerald Isle’s grip on the famous competition with the Noel Hehir-trained Coolavanny Chick (29.52sec +20) and John McGee senior’s Swanley Chick (29.41sec +20) winning heats five and eight respectively for the visitors, who have eight runners through to the quarter-finals.

The home challenge is still very much alive, however, with the Richard Rees-trained Southwood Jet impressive in winning heat three as the two-year-old scooted clear of his field to lead home two other home-trained runners in Lenson Whelan (Patrick Janssens) and Smurfs Machine (Seamus Cahill). The winning time was 29.34sec (+30).

Charlie Rees said of the June 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Luminous Queen, who is five-from-five in the UK after joining the Hove trainer on the recommendation of Rachel Wheeler: “That’s the first time I’ve really seen him break – and it’s a race he needed to! He’s a lovely dog to handle and doing us all proud.”

Rockmount Ozzy capped a good night for the John Mullins team when landing a 40-1 surprise in heat six, although there was nothing fortunate about the 29.82sec victory as the strong-running three-year-old broke in front and always bossed proceedings in 29.82sec (+20). The kennel’s Swift Lettuce had earlier qualified behind Knocknaboul Syd.

Chris Waters, part-owner of both and kennelhand with the Yarmouth trainer, said: “We’re all in shock to be honest! He’s always been a honest dog and raced against the top class. He stays well and it’s great for the kennel. I’m sure Lee (Calcutt) and Jack (Cranfield) are delighted with Ozzy, as will be John and James (Wright) with Lettuce.”

Nottingham reminds trainers that entries for the RPGTV Derby Plate close on Monday. The GBGB Category Two event is for 24 dogs with preference for those greyhounds knocked out of the first and second rounds of the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby. Heats support the Derby quarter-finals on Saturday.

Trap draw for Saturday’s Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby quarter-finals:-

First quarter-final: 1 Wingman, 2 Newinn Jacko, 3 Antigua Boy, 4 Deanridge Rapid, 5 Wolfe, 6 Coolavanny Chick (w).

Second quarter-final: 1 Blue Tick George, 2 Lenson Whelan, 3 Final Mad, 4 Lenson Bocko, 5 Southwood Jet, 6 Troy Firebird (w).

Third quarter-final: 1 Ballydoyle Valor, 2 Swift Lettuce, 3 Amka Rofe, 4 Swanley Chick, 5 Churchill Holly, 6 Smurfs Machine (m).

Fourth  quarter-final: 1 Deerjet Sydney, 2 Rockmount Ozzy, 3 Kilara Icon, 4 Knockaboul Syd, 5 Glengar Bale (m), 6 Distant Village (w).

Form: www.bagsracing.com/assets/17-october—nottingham-adv.pdf

Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby dates:-

Quarter-finals: Saturday, October 17

Semi-finals: Saturday, October 24

Final: Saturday, October 31