Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal is back in the hot seat with thoughts on tonight’s ARC St Leger and M Lambe Birmingham Cup semi finals.
Few tipsters have a better record on this site and of the 11 races last week, Martin picked 5 winners: 4-7, 10-11, 13-8, 2-1, 11-4.
** Prospective Oaks and Scurry Gold Cup candidates may secure a preparatory trial either before racing at any of the regular BAGS fixtures, or at a one-off trial meeting scheduled for Friday 30th September, kennelling 10.00am. Interested parties should book their slot with the Racing Office as soon as possible.
So, onto Martin’s previews . . . .
Master Ten Ten holds a slender advantage on heat clockings, and is a battler, which will stand him in good stead as he looks to claim one of the two qualifying places in this first semi-final of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup. Angie Kibble’s Ballymac Conti was in the right place to take advantage of Havana Class’s misfortune in his heat, but looked a little sluggish early on in last week’s trial, and will need to be on his toes at trap rise with Bambis Magic likely to be edging in from trap 3. God Bless has a peach of a draw on the outside, and will need to make the best of that luxury. Frankies Jet is tough, but cannot afford to miss the kick, whilst Drive On Lad is a really likeable sort, but the draw in four will ask a few questions of him.
Sel: Master Ten Ten
Darbys Delight and Cochise enjoyed a terrific buckle last week, and will hope to be in the front rank as the field go out on the second circuit. Antigua Sugar might have something to say about that though, and Mark Wallis’ bitch is expected to sweep into the lead round the first two turns, and it’ll be game on if she manages to achieve that. Callmesteve had to work hard to land his heat, but will not lack for courage when the going gets tough in the closing stages. Savana Volcano had the door closed in her face at the third bend last week, and performed miracles to get up on the line. If she manages to weave her way through the traffic, then another place in the final is certainly within her capabilities.
Sel: Callmesteve
Ivanexile put his heat to bed pretty early on last week, and Matt Dartnall’s black is expected to take a bit of catching from what appears an ideal draw. Innfield Trojan also boasts a fine turn of early pace, but will need to come away in his best fashion to clear Go Commando and Mystical Mario drawn inside. That scenario is entirely possible, however, although Tom Heilbron’s star would undoubtedly prefer the red jacket. Hilight Arkle has few miles on the clock for a dog who will turn four in January, and has done well to get this far, although it may be asking a lot for him to claim a qualifying place. Milton Noah will have to be on his game at the boxes in a semi-final with plenty of early zip.
Sel: Ivanexile
Quite simply a belter of a contest, with all six combatants having a chance of reaching the final. Despite her undoubted promise, Havana Lover still surprised me a little the way she ran away from her field, and a calculated 42.82 leaves no doubt that she stays every yard. Savana Ruinart possesses a lot of early pace for a stayer, and although I still expect her to lead up, the pack will be hot on her heels out of the second bend. Amaze Me Seb did an awful lot of running to get to the front last week after missing his break, and his middle pace should again take him into the contest as the field go out on the second circuit. Savana Beau enjoyed a trouble free run last week to put him bang in the picture for outright glory, but I’m not sure the red jacket will be conducive to a good start which he may well need to produce in a race as hot as this. Then again, he certainly has sufficient ability to prove me wrong. Baggios Champ continues to fly the flag for Frank Bryce, and should be on the case from an early stage, whilst Ramors Jet did extremely well to extricate himself from trouble last week to claim the runner up spot behind a rampant Savana Beau.
Sel: Havana Lover
Burnchurch Mick soon had the race under control last week, and could be hard to peg back if producing a similar break this evening. Goldies Perryman has a big following on social media, but still maybe arrived a little under the radar. His draw in two shouldn’t be problematic, although he may have to tuck in behind the leaders early on before making his move from halfway. With possible traffic in front of him at this point, a little good fortune may be needed. Laurels finalist Chelms Yes stayed on stoutly, as expected, and could be hard to keep out of the frame if lying handy at halfway. Billis Tudor made up good late ground in his heat to nearly get up and win, and showed his wellbeing when bolting up under trial conditions seven days ago. Drawn as he is, the blue brindle looks a player.
Sel: Billis Tudor
Not totally clear who might lead up in the concluding semi-final of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger. Guiri Steve and Chelms Cub are capable of a quick exit on their day, and an early lead for either might not be relinquished. Paul Matthews’s Famous Eight dismissed any doubters with a comfortable success in his heat, and the big black will likely start to make his move going past the stands first time round, and could be devilishly hard to keep out of the frame. A stiff six bends is the bare minimum for Droopys Jungle these days, and she will look to pinch a qualifying spot in the dying yards. Ratchies Saphire has found herself caught up in early crowding the last twice, and will need to avoid that here to stand a chance of getting through to the final.
Sel: Famous Eight
