A good night for the raiders, a bad one for defending champs with the opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and the Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup that entirely lived up to its heady expectations.
The Irish landed half the St.Leger heats with a double for Graham Holland with Kerry based Ballymac Katie also hugely impressive. But it was the Hove based Droopys Clue, trained by Irishman Seamus Cahill who set the standard with the night’s quickest run over the 710m course. His 42.76 was just 17 spots outside the track record held by Space Jet.
Unfortunately, there was to be no fairytale swansong for the 2021 winner who was eliminated. Defending champ Havana Lover also looked below her best when comprehensively beaten by Jacktavern Bella.
And in case anyone thinks that we incorrectly marked up the third heat of the Leger – no that really was Ballymac Taylor – not a ringer for Space Jet!
BIRMINGHAM CUP
Kevin Hutton’s Derby Plate finalist Rioja Joey was marginally the quickest of the Birmingham Cup winners with a 28.03 run. Defending champ Ivanexile looked as good as ever, and Irish Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal stamped her claim on the event with an impressive first round run.
