Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal gives his views on a fabulous night’s racing headlined by the ARC St.Leger and the Birmingham Cup Final with nine supporting opens including sprint and finals. Martin selected five winners last week.
A D3 sprint kicks off tonight’s entertainment. Dot Every I and Sahara Wizard have seen a fair bit of each other in recent weeks, and they look evenly matched. Ferndale Pop ran above expectations last week, and anything similar here would see him contend. Sharp Jet and Church Girl have shown decent early in winning over four bends recently. Affane Buzz has been off the card for a couple of months, but is pacy at her best.
Sel: 1-3-6
The first of three Arena Racing Company Oaks Trial Stakes this evening. Trendy Breeze arrives in fine shape, having won three of her last four, and will hope to put her local knowledge to good use. Garryglass Abbie has plenty of early zip at her disposal, but is likely to be tacking in on the run up. Tolpuddle Tilly flew round Swindon in 28.15 on 12th September, and could improve on her recent trial effort. Anniversary Girl needs to break in her best fashion to avoid becoming detached early on, whilst Bang On Sophie has been handed a tough draw.
Sel: 5-3-2
Magical Firebird has just the four wins to her name in this country, but is pretty useful when everything clicks, and could be away and gone as the field enters the first turn. Mon Amie won well at Romford last month, but her draw in five appears tricky. Nolas Beauty and Tricia Jezabelle are strong running sorts who will be only too happy to pick up the pieces should the leaders falter. Pennys Impact has been performing well in graded company of late, whilst Farneys Holly ran away from her field at Kilkenny in August, and could be one to keep an eye on next year.
Sel: 3-4-1
Droopys Timing won in a fast time on debut at Waterford last month, and looks to have a bright future, although she is pitched in against decent opposition this evening. Fabulous Azurra and Tullymurry Olive are relatively inexperienced, but have already shown enough to confirm they possess serious engines. Newinn Liz has been a terrific servant for connections, and will be looking to make every yard from her trap 6 pitch. Lights Out is certainly no mug, and the race could be run to suit if she can tuck in on the rail and remain handy.
Sel: 1-2-6
Trumps Benefit and Droopys Starlet were both impressive in their heats of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Stake, but for different reasons. Carol Weatherall’s trap 4 runner had to negotiate a fair amount of traffic, but such is his will to win, that the end result was never really in doubt once he started to close in round the final turn. Connections must be chuffed to bits with the way Droopys Starlet has acquitted herself well in her two starts to date, and on what we have witnessed so far, the world is her oyster. A missed break did Distant Archie no favours whatsoever last week, but he is dangerous to dismiss out of hand. Zari Mike is a tenacious sort, and is sure to battle hard, whilst Doghouse Dazzler lost all chance at the start last week, but would enter the picture with one of his better breaks.
Sel: 6-4-3
Cascade King wasn’t far away from a place in the final of the Birmingham Cup, and returns in search of a second success on these shores. Gary Ferguson sends out two here, with Longslip Dave looking to get off the mark and having an empty box on his inside, and Glenlara Mac, who is yet to approach the standard of his Irish form, where the white and black won more than his fair share. Ballyard Ricki roasted the opposition in a trial stake with a nice turn of early pace, and could be hard to peg back if repeating the dose this evening. Pennys Servius represents race sponsor John Lambe, and arrives fresh and well.
Sel: 6-4-2
Crossfield Dusty certainly raised a few eyebrows with a startling effort in the heats, recording the second fastest time ever over the trip, and the blue jacket is unlikely to cause Patrick Janssens’ blue brindle too many headaches. Castlehill Jil was almost as impressive when landing her heat, taking her record to seven wins from ten starts in the process, and Sean Davy’s bitch is not easily overlooked. Gymstar Minstrel appeared to have every chance last week, and may need to find a bit of time to get involved in the finish. Matts Malibu had to be brave when winning his heat, but has been presented with a tough draw in stripes.
Sel: 2-5-6
Three of this quintet reached the semi finals of the ARC St Leger, and that alone entitles them to maximum respect in this 710m contest. Aayamza Dream was a fraction unlucky when hampered close home last week, and continues to improve with every outing. Southfield Code relied on his early and middle pace to set up a winning advantage in the first round of the stayers’ classic, and the trap 5 runner should turn handy at the very least. Burgess Elite found all sorts of trouble when last seen, and could be still settling into his new surroundings. Troy Suzieeq won nicely at Harlow, and nearly went in again at Towcester.
Sel: 1-6-5
The ninth race brings us the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup Final In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior, and my thanks are once again extended to John Lambe for his generous sponsorship of this prestigious competition. Forest Gold was foot perfect in the semi finals, and anything close to that this evening will make Kevin Hutton’s black devilishly difficult to beat. Havana Class displayed speed, class and bravery in landing the ARC Laurels here in April, and Liz McNair’s fawn is most certainly no one trick pony. Duke De Janerio arrives in the final unbeaten, but only his best start will suffice in a contest loaded with all round pace. Candy Man clearly enjoys himself at Perry Barr, and will be a threat in the closing stages if in touch at halfway. Headford Flash appears to break better sporting the striped jacket, based on recent evidence, and could prove a thorn in the side of the leaders if coming away in his best fashion. Coolavanny Kyser has confined my pre-competition doubts about how much ability he retains well and truly in the trash can, and Mark Wallis’ charge is blessed with resilience in spades.
Sel: 4-3-5
Aayamza Royale is far and away the star name in this marathon contest, and should take plenty of holding with anything like a clear passage. Droopys Jungle has caught the eye on more than one occasion in recent weeks over six bends, and appears ready for this step up. Matt Dartnall’s bitch could easily develop into a force over extended trips in the coming months. Heidis Pet and A Little Respect seem closely matched based on Swindon six bend form, whilst Magical Bumble arrives in the form of her life for veteran Perry Barr trainer Bill Russell. Antigua Lava was withdrawn by the Stewards on account of not having taken part in a preparatory trial. RM solely to blame – schoolboy error.
Sel: 5-6-1
The Arena Racing Company St Leger Final, and a contest entirely befitting the stayers’ classic. Blueberry Bullet has taken to Perry Barr like a duck to water, and has improved with every outing, typically grabbing the early lead and holding off her pursuers. Night Time Danny is understandably the apple of Steve Rayner’s eye, and has answered every question asked of him so far in this competition. Half sisters Space Jet and Savana Volcano boast similar running styles, and will be bearing down on the leaders round the last two turns. Write off either of these two super talented bitches at your peril. Antigua Mememe has done connections proud by reaching the final of a Category 1, and will make his presence felt in the first half of the contest. Guiri Steve has handled the step up in class with aplomb, and is a credit to the talents of his young trainer.
Sel: 4-2-3
Some Profit completely missed the kick on his Perry Barr debut, and may be worth another chance to prove he is better than that. Ardera Nidge has a vacant box on his inside, but cannot afford a sloppy exit in this closing dash. Droopys Flight is an adaptable sort, and could prove hard to peg back if trapping in front. Skys Opal turned a few heads with a couple of flashy wins at Tralee at the end of last year, but has seen little racing since.
Sel: 4-6-5
There is a late kennelling of 6.30pm available for those trainers involved in race 6 or later.
