Perry Barr has enjoyed an exciting October
Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal was delighted with Saturday’s second big-race double header at the Midlands venue – especially given the experience of recent weeks and what the future holds.
Saturday’s finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup followed those of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior – the last two finals having to be rescheduled after heavy rain caused the mid-meeting abandonment of the original fixture.
“It’s certainly been a trying few weeks but I’m proud of how the trackstaff, led by Jonny Shahban, have coped and to the wider efforts of all the Arc and Perry Barr Stadium staff.”
Perry Barr’s next major competition will be Arena Racing Company Laurels next spring before the Birmingham venue’s anticipated closure in 2025 with the operation moving to a new track being built at Wolverhampton Racecourse. The St Leger will be staged at Nottingham for one year, but the Oaks is being planned for Wolverhampton.
Reflecting on Saturday’s meeting, Seal congratulated the winners of the major competitions – Patrick Janssens’ Druids Say Go in the Oaks and Kevin Hutton’s Rioja Oisin in the Scurry Gold Cup.
“Patrick had a great night all-round but, of course, Druids Say Go was the high point. She really is something special and the time told you everything you needed to know, just over half a length off the clock. Her pace down the back was awesome – she’s one of the best Oaks winners, for sure, which seems appropriate.
“And that Scurry Gold Cup final was exceptional. Two brilliantly fast greyhounds in Rioja Oisin and our own Magical Bluebear having a real battle. Kevin (Hutton) and the owners have had to be very patient with him but that patience has been rewarded. He’s exceptional, but credit the runner-up who also ran a great race for the Russell family.”
Of the supporting card, which included a match race to close the card, Seal said: “I was highly impressed with PGR Puppy winner Droopys Plunge, who appeared to have a bit to do off the second bend of his contest, but absolutely flew down the back-straight to grab the lead at the third bend and power home from that point onwards.
“He looks a progressive type of Patrick’s (Janssens).
“Jet Stream Angel underlined her love affair with Perry Barr in the PGR Bitches for Kevin Hutton, while there were commanding performances from Lamorna Lexi for Alistair Scott in the PGR Stayers and Romeo Steel, another for Patrick, who bossed division one of the PGR Standard, contributing to an excellent four-timer for his talented handler.
“The curtain came down on a wonderful evening with a terrific match race over the marathon trip, both bitches giving their all to thrill the packed stadium. Both sets of connections deserve the utmost credit for their sportsmanship and I hope it’s something we can revisit in the future.
“It proved very popular and was another great head-to-head on the night.”
