Mark Pierrepont caught up with successful Irish trainer Pat Buckley for his view on Saturday night’s Derby Final where he will be represented by Deerjet Sydney
PAT BUCKLEY
Pat Buckley is a name which demands respect throughout the greyhound world. A trainer of countless big race and competition winners he is just an English Greyhound Derby success away from becoming one of a select group of handlers to have completed the treble of English, Irish and Scottish Greyhound Derby glory.
Pat gained the first of his to date three Derby final successes when his Cabra Cool emerged victorious at Shawfield in the April 2009 Scottish Derby Final.
Cool’s victory was swiftly followed just five months later with a memorable Irish Derby Final victory at Shelbourne Park for one of the all time great greyhounds in College Causeway.
The commentary on this evening from the now sadly departed and legendary commentator Michael Fortune brings goosebumps to even the most hardened follower of greyhound racing to this day, that immortal line of ‘Here Comes The Causeway’ has gone down in history. Surprisingly Pat had to wait a further ten years before emerging victorious in another Derby final but that victory duly came when his Braveheart Bobby won him a second Scottish Derby Final in 2019.
(Quiz question: How many trainers have won the English, Irish and Scottish Derbys? We reckon it is two: Nick Savva and Paul Hennessy – unless you know otherwise!)
Pat has gone close to English Derby success before, reaching the final with Mind The Net, Lenson Rocky and Droopys Roddick, but in Deerjet Sydney he could well have his best chance of lifting that famous old trophy yet.
He said: “Deerjet Sydney first come to my attention when running in the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic in February. He was impressive in winning his first round heat and though that was to remain his sole win in the competition he did reach a high class final which was won by Liam Dowling’s (future Irish Derby finalist) Ballymac Wild.
“I mentioned him to Kenny Glen a good owner of mine and a man who appreciates a class greyhound. We managed to do a deal with his trainer J J Fennelly and the Tech Syndicate and the rest as they say is history.
“He has since reached the quarter final of the Irish Derby for us as well as the consolation Derby final at Shelbourne.
“He’s really taken to Nottingham, he’s an out and out railer as everybody knows but I do feel he’s drawn to better effect off the rail where he can hopefully ping out and then get across in his own time.
“I thought he (T4) ran a terrific race in his semi final behind Wolfe. He didn’t get the clearest of runs but showed a lot of pace.
“He has checked out well for me, there are no issues at all with him; he’s flown up the gallop this morning (Tuesday).
“It’s in the lap of the gods now. We need to smash out and claim that rail as soon as possible from the Southwood Jet dog who is running out of his skin also.
“Maybe we might just have the edge on him at the traps so hopefully that’s the case on Saturday. My daughter Emma will be parading, she and Sydney have a terrific relationship,
“Emma has been over with me for a couple of weeks now and is looking forward to the night immensely. It would be a proud moment for us all if Sydney could do the business.
“It would fulfil a long held ambition if he were to win and it would be extra special with Emma parading, I led up Cabra Cool in 2009, Sarah paraded Causeway in the same year and my son Jack did so with Bobby at Shawfield last year.
“Emma will keep Sydney calm, she’ll not let the occasion bother her so we’ll keep everything cross and hope for the best but the dog is as well as could be”.
Pat is also represented on Star Sports Bookmakers & ARC English Greyhound Derby Final night by Knocknaboul Syd in the 500m ARC Trophy and by Doolin Duke in the RPGTV Derby Plate Final.
He said: “I was a bit disappointed to lose Duke from the Derby as soon as the second round. He’s a very talented greyhound but just charged the traps somewhat in his race at that stage and that was him out the competition.
“That’s racing but he was back to his best when winning well in the semi final of the plate, again he’s checked out perfectly and with a break on Saturday he’ll be tough to beat.
“Same with Syd in his race. He ran really well in winning each of his first three rounds but though he went up well from a poor draw in his semi final.
“He couldn’t make the bend ahead of Southwood Jet and then he’s took a bad knock from Ballydoyle Valor when just about to drop second.
“That was it for him but he’s checked over great and again I’d hope for a big run on Saturday.
“I’d like to place on record my thanks to Nathan and the team at Nottingham, we’ve been looked after superbly well and regardless of the result we’ve had a great ride.
“I’d also like to thank June Harvey and everybody down at the kennels there, we’ve been home from home here, we couldn’t have asked for more. I wish everybody well for Saturday and I’m sure it will be a great evenings racing”.
