Wolverhampton’s £20,000 Puppy Derby winner sets record time

Underground Gold lived up to the billing with a quickest-ever Puppy Derby Final time over 480m to win this year's £20,000 prize at Monmore Green.

The Paul Young-trained raider went into the showpiece race this past weekend as the odds-on favourite and did not disappoint, clocking a flying 27.79secs to clinch the crown for the Underground Greyhounds syndicate.

The star pup, who does not turn two until August, again showed sensational early pace to steer clear of the crowd and win comfortably - extending his unbeaten run at Monmore and overall career record to six wins from seven runs.

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: "A huge congratulations to Paul Young and the Underground Greyhounds syndicate, they have a real star and thoroughly deserving winner of this year's Puppy Derby.

“It's the fastest time we've ever had over 480m in a Puppy Derby final, with only the 1997 final which was ran over 460m and won by Elliots Gift being faster.

"The dog looks to have a fantastic future ahead of him and I'm sure they'll be fancying him for this year's Greyhound Derby. A fantastic performance."

There were also three Category Three finals on Saturday evening, with Zenith Legend (David Mullins, Romford) taking the spoils in the Jim Woods Memorial Trophy ran in honour of Monmore's former racing manager.

Vixons Filofax (Brian Thompson, Monmore) turned back the clock to triumph in the Ladbrokes.com 480 while Longacres King was the victor in the Ladbrokes.com 264 for Pat Doocey.Longacres King was one of five winners on the evening for Doocey while fellow Monmore handler Richie Taberner had Aero Boris and Aero Sophie win the night's final two races.