Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal gives an expert view on tonight’s 12 fabulous opens from Perry Barr featuring the second round of the ARC Oaks and the opening round of the Scurry Gold Cup.
From last week’s first round, Martin selected seven of the 12 winners: 11-8, 8-11, 6-4, 8-15, 4-5, 6-5, 11-8.
Newtown Sydney is still yet to realise his true potential, but dipped under the elusive 16.00sec barrier in a trial last week, and that might be too good for these. Adeles Duke found himself on the floor at Sheffield at the start of the month, but has gone well here in the past, and should get plenty of room to stretch his legs drawn out wide. All Is Good has bagged a couple of useful wins at Nottingham and home track Monmore, and has a chance to qualify from what appears a decent draw. Perry Barr representatives Micks Energy and Doubtful Laura haven’t got their head in front for some time, and may need to bring their A game to stand a chance of finishing in the first three.
Sel: Newtown Sydney
Coppice Josie flew from the boxes in her first round heat, soon building a comfortable lead, but was all out to hold on in the closing stages. She retains untapped potential though, and should be able to shave a couple of lengths off that time. Sober Regrets and Mustang Kim are also likely to be pressing for the early lead, but may be looking over their shoulder coming off the last turn, as Savana Ruinart will likely be finishing to good effect if able to keep herself out of trouble in the first half of the contest. Kennelmates Ballymac Ino and Ballymac Intent have been drawn to face each other, and with both pretty much confirmed railers, will hope not to affect each other’s chance.
Sel: Coppice Josie
Gerry Ballentine has had Noels Fleck in a good place for a number of weeks now, and Noel Synnott’s black could be hard to beat if coming away in his best fashion. Early Knight never really appeared to get to grips with the Yarmouth circuit, and should be more at home around Perry Barr, having posted a fluent trial here back in the spring. Dynamic Dove is an infrequent winner in truth, but moved well in a solo trial last week, and will hope to approach that effort from what appears an ideal draw. Moving Places has done well in her short career to date at home track Doncaster, but arrives here without the benefit of a look round, a comment which also applies to Roman Arch. Pasburgers pops up from time to time in graded company, and has a squeak.
Sel: Noels Fleck
Moments Of Magic got the job done with the minimum of fuss in the first round, and a calculated time of 28.30sec is certainly not to be sniffed at. Global Prima made light of a potentially tricky draw last week, gradually easing herself in on the run up before taking up the running at the first bend, although she will have no margin for error to safely clear the pair drawn inside. Shall We has performed with credit in two runs to date, but will have to be brave at the bend to hold her position. Kennelmates Kildallon Tilly and No Rush have decent draws from which to work, but may need to step up a little on what they have achieved so far. Longacres Queen showed admirable determination to force her way to the front in her heat, but may require an uncontested lead to give herself the best chance of getting through to next Thursday’s semi-finals.
Sel: Moments Of Magic
Getouttamyway has done all his winning at Romford and home track Yarmouth, reaching the final of the Greene King IPA Sprint recently, and a recent sighter here indicated Mark Newberry’s black remains on good terms with himself. Tintreach Jet is a winning machine at Central Park, and Paul Donovan has given his sprint star two looks round in advance of the competition to complete a thorough preparation. Luck Box Blue mixes sprint racing with short four bend contests, and looked fresh and well when reacquainting herself with the Perry Barr circuit last week. Glengar White shows good early zip in four bend graded contests at Newcastle, and seems unlikely to be phased by this evening’s assignment. Nice Place has won his share at Doncaster, but this is a little tougher.
Sel: Tintreach Jet
Fabulous Azurra was imperious when blasting to a four length success in round one, and a switch to the blue jacket should prove no undue obstacle for Patrick Janssens’ star. Front Pasha ran her socks off to keep the winning margin respectable behind a rampant Slick Sakina, and Kevin Proctor has a talented bitch on his hands. Tullymurry Spell comprehensively outran her odds in her first round heat, and has prospects of qualifying in this five runner third second round heat. Ratchies Saphire and Arthur Pumpkin displayed their battling qualities last week to reach this stage, and more of the same may well be required this evening.
Sel: Fabulous Azurra
One of the more open Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup heats this evening, and a chance for one of these to make their mark on the competition. Lenson On Ice has not raced since August, but has been brought back steadily by Paul Donovan, and showed improvement in his second look round last week. Sandwood Jet and Vaunt Lad have similarly been lightly campaigned these past couple of months, and connections will be hoping any cobwebs have been shaken off in the build up to the premier sprint event in the greyhound calendar. Across The Field keeps good company at Monmore, and the lack of a look round may not prove a hindrance to Kim Billingham’s charge. Ohalabamaslama pops up from time to time, and a decent break would give him a chance to qualify for next week’s semi-finals.
Sel: Across The Field
Droopys Samantha was always playing catch up after leaving traps a little flat footed in the first round, and a smoother exit should see Kevin Hutton’s diminutive flyer in a better light this evening. Kennelmate Westwell Emer was unlucky not to bag the win when having the door shut in her face by pacesetting Orange Josie last week, and if the trap 2 runner can gain control of the rail early, she could be a danger to all. Roanna Storm has not enjoyed much luck of late, but showed guts to battle on for third behind Moments Of Magic, and will have hopes of qualifying. Belles Good was another to raise her game last week, and will hope to keep out of trouble out wide.
Sel: Droopys Samantha
Ballymac Jet chiefly plied his trade over four bends in Ireland before arriving in February, but a series of setbacks has seen Steve Anderson’s blue on the sidelines for most of that period. Haileys Bunch has hit form at just the right time for Shirley Aveline, and the trap 6 runner should go well in what looks a winnable heat. Chubbys Times has been absent since May, but had won three of his six starts prior, and is quite capable of ruffling a few feathers here. Castlehill Best is not without a chance, but will need to improve on recent efforts to grab a place on the podium.
Sel: Chubbys Times
Slick Sakina set the standard in the first round, eclipsing some better known names in the process, and because of that, has to be taken seriously when talking about potential outright winners. Distant Emma has routed the opposition in two Perry Barr starts to date, and a trap 3 berth could feasibly see her in an even better light this evening. Bettys Book arrives in rude health, and although her strength could prove an asset in the closing stages, there is the potential for first bend crowding now she sports the red jacket. Sweet Pear is a tenacious sort, but will have to run up to her best to claim one of the three semi-final places on offer.
Sel: Distant Emma
Gougane Jet has swept virtually all before him since arriving in the UK, and Mark Wallis could have a sprinting superstar on his hands. Bad Alibi has only recently returned to racing following an extended spell on the sidelines, but looked on good terms with himself when flying round in a preparatory trial. Ballymac Slapup is a talented individual who has won at no less than six different tracks in his career to date, and John Mullins’ charge could make them all go if breaking in his best fashion. Youmeanirene has done well at home track Sheffield, but will need to step up on last week’s trial to trouble the principals in what is a red hot Scurry heat.
Sel: Gougane Jet
Whats Up Eva pulled further and further clear when routing the opposition last week, and Richard Rees’ black will look to turn handy before making her move down the back. Orange Josie seems likely to set a scorching pace out wide, and will hope her pursuers are held up in their passage. Glengar Jenny performed with credit in the first round, and a revised seeding and accompanying middle berth could see Gemma Evans’ charge go well once again. Droopys Optimal was obliged to do things the hard way in her heat, but made up an inordinate amount of ground to go down by less than two lengths, and remains an exciting prospect. Sleek By Design and Front Mali may find themselves under pressure from an early stage.
Sel: Whats Up Eva
