UNDERGROUND GOLD completed a superb 24 hours for Romford trainer Paul Young when winning his semi-final of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore and now has his sights set on Saturday’s £20,000 showpiece – for which he is a red-hot favourite.

Having struck with Bombay Buck in the Coral Golden Sprint Final at Romford the night before, Young’s team was in tip-top form again courtesy of their star youngster as Underground Gold, an August 2024 son of Callaway Pro Am and Droopys Charm, followed up his rapid-fire heat win with another solid victory in the second semi-final.

Just leading at the bend after bumping on the run-up, the Romford raider then showed his class by stretching away for a six-and-a-half lengths win over kennelmate Bowmers Buddy for a Young-trained one-two in 28.05sec (+15) for the 480m trip.

“We couldn’t really ask much more of him at this stage,” said winning trainer Young of the youngster who is from the same family as the likes of Droopys Eunice and Gary The Arb. “He came to us as a fast dog, and hopefully even a Derby dog despite his age, but Monmore is very much what we’re concentrating on at the moment.

“He’s got to do things right on Saturday, but the pace is there,” added Young. “He did the fastest time in the heats, one of the best there this year, so we’ve got to be hopeful – and he’s won out of the trap four at Monmore, too.

“We’re happy with two finalists, of course. Our other dog Bowmers Buddy deserves to be there, too, and him getting trap one is great. I’m sure there’ll be a strong Romford showing there on Saturday, with four of the finalists between myself and Maxine (Locke).

“Maxine won it last year. Hopefully between us we can bring the trophy back down south again this year – we’re certainly be giving it a go.”

Headford Dane won last year’s then Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby and the Romford trainer is back herself with two finalists this year in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby.

Locke’s Droopys Script made all the running in the first semi-final to lead home the always-handy and keeping-on Aayamza Shazza (John Mullins).

The winner, a July 2024 son of Pestana and Droopys Onestop, stopped the clock in 28.19sec (+10), while the third semi went to Kim Billingham-Hine’s local hope Newinn Jolly who struck in 28.67sec (+10).

The winner, a September 2024 son of Swords Rex and Glenegat Mildred, produced a strong-running performance to win by a length and half from Droopys Vicar (Maxine Locke), a fourth Romford representative in the final, to seal his place in the decider.

Trap draw for the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final 2026: 1 Bowmers Buddy, 2 Aayamza Shazza, 3 Droopys Vicar, 4 Underground Gold, 5 Newinn Jolly, 6 Droopys Script (m).