BOBS BLACK CAB (t2) wins the last ever race at Hall Green for Richard Baker from Tynwald Rodney (t1). Photo: Steve Nash

Bobs Black Cab landed the final race at Hall Green as an emotional crowd joined in with the Frank Sinatra Classic and winning trainer Richard Baker contemplated his future.

4-1 chance Bob landed the £250 A2 graded race and brought an end to nine decades of racing at the Birmingham venue. It was also an unwanted double for trainer Richard Baker.

He said: “We also won the last race at Oxford before moving to Hall Green. I wasn’t at Hall Green last night and have been a bit disillusioned with the whole thing.

“Even though I have had a lot of runners in the inter-tracks at Perry Barr, I was told last week that they don’t need my dogs, which came as a huge shock.

“At this stage I am considering my options. I have 30 racing dogs, and could easily increase that, plus a number of litters coming through. There are a few alternatives but I will take a few days before deciding which direction to go in.”

 

The night also saw the departure from racing of Gary Bakewell whose family (originally through father Barry) had been associated with the stadium for 43 years.

The Bakewells sent out their last six runners and won two of the Owners Bonus races with five year old Threeuroshort and near six year old Westmead Gucci.

Assistant trainer Diane said: “The whole evening was just so emotional and I think the two winners must have known what it meant. The crowd was huge, it was like the old days. It took until 11.25 to get out of the car park.”

It isn’t just the staff who are retiring, but the entire kennel.

Diane said: “There are 30 dogs in all though we are down to eight racing dogs. But they are all getting on and we decided that it would be the end for them too. One of the winners is going to some friends in York. The rest will stay here. We will keep them all, though of course there won’t be any income. I will have to look after the dogs in the day, but hopefully I can get an evening job to pay the bills.

“There are so many trainers at Perry Barr that it would be impossible to make a living there. Although we won’t be training, greyhounds are part of our lives and we still have the kennels which could be used by the RGT if they needed dogs on the transition to retirement. It is a tough day, there have been so many happy memories at Hall Green that we can be grateful for.”

And the highlight?

“I think it would have to be the (Westmead) Hawk.”