Greyhound Racing

2025 Star Sports & TRC Greyhound Derby third round

Published on

May 26, 2025

The second round was held over two nights last week and this time it was the current ante post favourite to steal the show, writes Peter Walker.

If you were in any doubt that Bockos Diamond is not the same canine athlete we saw winning last year’s Irish Derby in emphatic fashion, you’re not now.

Combined with the fastest sectional (3.93) and quickest finishing time (28.51) over the weekend, the boy is certainly a worthy favourite and as low as 5/2 with the sponsors now.

Difficult passage

The day before saw Proper Heiress endure a difficult passage after a modest break by his standards and just got pipped for third in the end.

It wasn’t all bad news for the home side as March On Freddie came good with only four competitors after the unfortunate Ballybough Nutz was withdrawn lame.

Connections were quite rightly gutted after his brilliant front-running display in the previous round.

Final swansong

Churchfield Syd also reminded us he is not just here to make up the numbers either. What a swansong it would be if he could reach another final, especially if he keeps racing to the corner without seeing another rival in both his previous race victories.

The track record holder Barntick Bear came through in third place after his customary steady start. That was the same position Droopys Plunge managed to qualify in, but only just!

Successes for Keefill Maverick, Droopys Bookhem, Tiffield Tarquin, Romeo Tomcat and Droopys Trade kept the patriotic crowd happy.

Popular winner

The most popular winner of the second round was probably the bitch Singalong Molly. She might not be a British contender but ‘every man (or woman) and his (her) greyhound’ wanted to be on – the only surprise was she won at odds against!

The draw for the third round was made at the track following racing on Saturday which was great to see.

Heat three pitches March On Freddie with both De Lahdedah and Ballinabola Joe. The following heat has Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches lock horns in trap five and six respectively.

The last heat throws up three unbeaten greyhounds, Sole Mio, Dynamic Force and our ‘Syd’ to be precise.

Future winner

Apart from the finals night, this Saturday evening is the first time you are bound to see the future winner of the Derby, and possibly the Plate or even other competitions which culminate on the 14^th June.

The ratings for all 48 greyhounds are now assessed collectively for the first time.

The disparity between remaining greyhounds becomes more evident as the ‘cream’ begins to rise to the top.

However, we all know a clear run with no interference cannot be guaranteed, but qualification is paramount and predictably getting tougher.

A greyhound taking an early lead will always have an advantage by avoiding possible scrimmaging during the early part of the race.

In this pursuit, I have also introduced comparative sectional ratings from this round onwards as well.

I have included a summary after each separate race ratings matrix.

Good luck to all greyhounds and connections this Saturday in what should be a fantastic night.

Saturday 19.10