Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal steps up to the plate for the final occasion this year to preview tonight’s ARC sponsored English Oaks and Scurry Gold Cup Final, two of the original ten historic ‘classics’. (Along with the English and Scottish Derbys, St. Leger, Laurels, Grand National, Grand Prix, Gold Collar, and Cesarewitch).
Martin selected four of last week’s six semi final winners between the two competitions.
Dynamic Dove and Pasburgers got tangled up in first bend bother in the heats of the ARC Scurry Gold Cup, and that ended their chances accordingly, although Ross Williams’ blue shrugged off that disappointment by winning nicely in graded company a week later. Waikiki Max went one better by making it to the semi-finals of the same event, but slow starts continue to hinder his progress. Halcrow Saltire is a member of a pacy British bred King Elvis litter, and a trap 2 pitch might not be an issue. Sovereign Jet might be better suited by a draw slightly off the fence. Tromora Gloss found a bit of form last time out, but this is tougher.
Sel: Halcrow Saltire
December puppy Porthall Chief has come on in leaps and bounds in recent weeks, and demolished A2 opposition in a quick time at the start of the month. Kenzo worked his way up from A9 to A1 at Romford, and ran well for a long way in a recent Towcester maiden. Drumcrow Rosco has been on his travels since making every yard in graded company last month, and will look to stretch the field out in the first half of the contest now back on home turf. Crystal Impact has performed with credit in Swindon and Sheffield opens of late, and could be a tough nut to crack. Narcos Pablo is coming along nicely for Julie Bateson, and is one of whom we probably won’t see the best until next year.
Sel: Crystal Impact
Savana Ruinart was a whisker away from qualifying for the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks after finishing a fine third in the PGR St Leger, and Diane Henry’s star could be hard to catch here if getting on the bunny. Kennelmate Savana Beau has struggled for consistency of late, but the trap 2 runner remains a class act at his best, and the draw in blue looks just about perfect. Ratchies Saphire did well to reach the semi-finals of the Oaks, and should be much more at home over a trip such as this. Arthur Pumpkin has only recently moved up to six bends, and would ideally prefer a draw nearer the fence. Crystal Duchess bagged a 540m Crayford open back in the spring and could figure early, but will have to step up on what we have seen in recent outings.
Sel: Savana Ruinart
Early Knight paid the penalty for a missed break in the semi-finals of the ARC Scurry, and this easier contest should be more to his liking. Adeles Duke was a touch unlucky in that same contest, and if breaking well from his middle berth, could be hard to peg back. Tasty Treat is now well into his fourth year, but is certainly capable of ruffling a few feathers at his best. Chubbys Times fluffed his lines at the start on his return to action, and better will be needed here if he is to threaten the principals. Farneys Holly has bits and pieces of decent form on her CV, and a quick break would help her cause no end. Farran Range is an interesting newcomer with little recent form to go on, and could be one to keep an eye on in the next couple of months.
Sel: Early Knight
Four of these took part in the PGR Oaks, and all acquitted themselves well in what has been a terrific competition. Mustang Kim struggled to get home in her semi-final after lying third for most of the way, and an early lead might therefore be essential for Duncan Begley’s blue. Sweet Pear paid the penalty for a missed break in the second round, and a trap 5 draw might well see her in a better light. Roanna Storm and Droopys Optimal were faced with some tough draws throughout, and have the chance to show what they can do now drawn in the middle of the track. Savana Regera has seen little racing since arriving in this country in February with a CV chiefly comprising staying form, and may be best watched for the time being. Trendy Breeze is perhaps not the force of old, but the draw in red is ideal.
Sel: Roanna Storm
Blueberry Bullet bowed out in the heats of the PGR St Leger following first bend trouble, but made amends soon after by landing heat and final of Romford’s Mitch Millward Marathon. A below par Towcester effort has seen Mark Wallis’ bitch spend a couple of weeks on the sidelines, and time will tell how straight she is for tonight’s assignment. Former track record holder Savana Volcano rolled back the years when flying home to grab the runner up spot in the PGR St Leger final, and it may well be that Diane Henry’s star needs a full eight bend trip these days to be seen at her best as she nears the end of her career. Kennelmate Savana Spartacus has been to traps on just eleven occasions since arriving on these shores at the start of the year, and although something of an enigma, accounted for the great Space Jet over Towcester’s 942m trip back in March. Loggies Sadie looked like being tailed off in a supporting 915m open here on Leger final night, but came from out of the clouds to reel in the leaders with something to spare.
Sel: Savana Volcano
Gougane Jet was asked a bit of a question by Castlehill Best in the opening yards of his ARC Scurry Gold Cup semi-final, but brute early pace soon won the day, ensuring a comfortable victory, his ninth in only ten starts. Mark Wallis’ black is clearly a formidable opponent. Newtown Sydney seemed to have a mountain to climb when walking out of traps last week, but a dream run through on the rail saw him hit the front off the second turn, with Eric Cantillon’s heavyweight still managing to clock a flying 15.94sec. With a decent start, I think Horseshoe Ping’s long standing track record would have been his for the taking. Ballymac Slapup showed what a terrific competitor he is when burning off the opposition in his semi-final, although he will need a far better break than when last sporting the red jacket. Tintreach Jet has earned himself an excellent 50% career strike rate through a series of top class efforts, and although Paul Donovan’s charge has work to do to reverse form with Newtown Sydney, a trap 6 berth could well show him in a better light. Vaunt Lad and Castlehill Best have flied the Perry Barr flag all the way to the final, and credit to their connections for their sportsmanship and endeavour.
Sel: Gougane Jet
Patrick Janssens must be cock-a-hoop to get three with live chances through to the final of the £20,000 to the winner Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. Fabulous Azurra is a litter sister to 2022 Greyhound Derby winner Romeo Magico, and Dave Firmager’s blue is on the cusp of what would be a famous double. Azurra is as brave as a lion, and with trap 2 looking just about perfect, she may only need to hold the pair drawn either side to the first bend to be in with a real shout. It was always going to take a special effort to reel in Global Prima once she had hit the front at the first bend last week, and indeed Westwell Emer acquitted herself well in holding the trap 3 runner to just a length and a quarter. Determined as the Westwell Racing Club’s bitch is though, it may be difficult to come from off the pace in an Oaks final as deep as this. Slick Sakina was still a maiden at the start of the competition, having shown up well in a warm maiden on Leger final night, but since then has comprehensively outpointed every field put in front of her, with flying sectional clockings, even dipping below the elusive 28.00sec barrier in her semi-final. Patrick has her at absolute concert pitch at the moment, and owner Keith Allsop of course tasted big race glory as part owner of Thorn Falcon. Bonjour Bullet returned to the track in late September, and as I noted at the time, a thorough preparation has indeed paid dividends for Belinda Green and her co-owners, with an Oaks final place a tremendous achievement. Distant Emma has battled hard to keep Slick Sakina’s winning distance respectable the last twice, and I feel we will only see the best of this talented bitch next year. In an ideal world she would want trap 3, but the striped jacket it is though, and she will have to resist the temptation to cut in until the back straight to give herself the best possible chance.
Sel: Slick Sakina
Not content with a three-pronged attack in the showpiece event, the big Belgian sends out one of the biggest guns in his Thetford based kennel in the concluding standard in the shape of Coolavanny Shado. Paying the penalty for a missed break in the final of the Yarmouth Derby, a brief rest has followed, and he certainly looked on good terms with himself in a preparatory trial, having hesitated momentarily coming out of the boxes. Romeo De Niro has done well here in the past, but may struggle to lead his kennel companion, whilst Chelms Switch is decent on his day, but a trap 6 berth may not show him in his best light. Mystical Mario kept a pretty straight line to the bend on the only previous occasion he has sported the red jacket, but may do well to reach the first turn in pole position, although a recent 28.29sec trial is not to be sniffed at.
Sel: Coolavanny Shado
