The dog Pat Rosney tried to give away – before he even owned him – came good to win the 2018 RPGTV Scottish Derby for father/son owners Mick and Mark Jones.
The brindle Laurels winner, who went to traps at 5-2, was produced to perfection in the final as he clocked 28.87 (+30) for Shawfield’s 480m in beating Dropzone by a length and three quarters. It was his fifth win in his last six outings which included going unbeaten through the Newcastle feature event.
RPGTV Scottish Derb y Final run up: Dropzone (t5) leads early from winner The Other Reg (t4). Borna Account (t3) Dorotas Vic (t6), Black Farren (t2) and Lightfoot King (t1) give chase.Photo: © Steve Nash
Pat said: “I thought he half slipped at the traps but showed so much determination to drive into the bend. Elaine’s dog led up and ran very well and it took all of Reg’s guts to push his way to the front. Once he reached the third bend, I was hopeful they couldn’t pick him up because Shawfield is not an easy track to come from behind in the latter stages.
“Reg is a good old fashioned gutsy sort who never gives up. He is also such a lovely greyhound. He reminds me of (2015 Scottish Derby winner) Swift Hoffman in his nature. He is so kind. Like Hoffman, he absolutely loves affection and wants to be please you.”
Ironically, Pat nearly let Reg slip through his fingers.
He said: “The story was, we went to get Little Flame mated to Reg’s sire Razldazl Jayfkay and Dolores Ruth asked if I was a fan of the sire, which of course I was. She told me about Reg who had just won at Clonmel and suggested that if I was looking for a decent dog, he would be ideal. I asked all my owners but nobody was looking for a dog at the time.
“Eventually I went back to her and said, ‘I know Patrick Janssens loves the Jayfkays, see if he was interested’. Apparently, Patrick had nobody looking for a dog either. In fact, I asked several other trainers without success. Then out of the blue, Mick and Mark Jones got in touch and said they were in the market and it was probably just fate.”
Reg’s next appointment is a trial at Towcester – he went out of the 2017 Star Sports Derby in the third round last year.
Pat said: “He isn’t over-raced. He did nothing between the Laurels and the Scottish Derby and I would like to keep him going with a trial next week. I think he is better equipped for Towcester this year. He is that much stronger, and the short straights there may negate that slight flat spot he has in the middle of the race before his strength comes in at the end.
RPGTV Scottish Derb y presentation by Ladbrokes/Corals Area Managers Sam Sheridan and Jamie Gournay to The Other Reg’s trainer Pat Rosney and owners Mark and Mick Jones (right).Photo: © Steve Nash
