With the Arena Racing Company Laurels fast approaching, interest in Perry Barr’s first Cat 1 of 2022 is steadily building. With enhanced prize money across the board – total prize money for the 2022 edition will reach £21,150 (including £10,000 to the winner), an increase of well over £8,000 on 2021 figures – the cream of the country’s four bend stars could well be descending on the Birmingham venue come early April.
Liz and Rab McNair’s Havana Class held on by the minimum margin to deny a gallant Ivy Hill Skyhigh in a thriller last year, and this year’s renewal could be even better. Carol Weatherall’s Candy Man was an eye catcher in fourth then, and duly got his revenge on the winner when landing the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in an epic buckle last September.
The Matt Walker owned black returned from a short break to dip under the 480m clock in a recent trial, and is clearly in rude health at present.
ARC Laurels Trial Stakes are advertised for Thursday 7th April, with the heats commencing on 14th, semi-finals on 21st and the final on 28th April.
Supporting the Laurels will be The Good News At Stud Stakes, a two round Cat 3 over the 275m trip with an excellent winner’s prize of £1,000 thanks to the generosity of John Kennedy, who made that commitment following Billys Diva’s Arena Racing Company Oaks success last October.
We look forward to welcoming John and his family back to Perry Barr in 2022.
On the trainer front, Perry Barr has added Julie Bateson to its roster, with the Halton, Lancaster based trainer’s June puppy Moonstone already showing the benefit of his handler’s patient approach.
There is also the Oct’20 King Elvis x Halcrow Oyster litter, bred and owned by Gillian Norman, which are due to make their debut shortly. Julie Blunt has also returned to Perry Barr from Henlow, and is in the process of trialling in a racing strength of around 40. We wish both Julies every success.
