Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal previews tonight’s open race card. In his last attempt, he picked five winners and a second from six selections!
An interesting marathon, with a few unexposed types over this demanding trip. Siblings Hather Duke and Hather Stout both appeared in similar contests here on St Leger Final night in November, with the former running well behind Beechgrove Bell in the top division, and Vicki Lea’s trap 3 runner has the bragging rights over his brother. Ballyhoe Breeze is in good hands, and is a multiple winner in top grade over 630m at Monmore. Merrymeeting Dev gives the impression he will stay longer than the mother-in-law, and that could be vital in the final hundred yards. Savana Volcano is very interesting, being a daughter of Clonmel 790yd record holder Volcano, herself a daughter of TV Trophy heroine Flying Winner, expertly handled by Chris Lund. Savana Volcano is taken to come home in front for Diane Henry, followed by Merrymeeting Dev.
Nah Then Bella did the business here last month, and is compiling a very fair record for Kirsty Grayson. Droopys Loretta started her career at Perry Barr, and has gone on to better things since joining Jamie Kingsley at Hove. Dolla Wisecrack so nearly landed the Birmingham Cup for trainer/sponsor John Lambe at the back end of last year, but may be a run or two off her best having been absent since December. Baggios Sky has flown the flag for Frank Bryce, reaching the Oaks semi finals, and I wouldn’t put it past her to run well, even from what looks a horrid draw. Nah Then Bella is taken to make every yard, with Dolla Wisecrack to follow her home.
Geelo Josh led Winetavern Curly everywhere but the line last month, and had made light of a trap 4 draw to land a Nottingham maiden prior to that. Gary Ferguson has some decent ammunition in his Falkirk kennel, and Burgess Vivato could well make a name for himself in the next few months, possibly over further. Shaun Moore has made the effort to give Coyote Sting two preparatory trials, and he has impressed with his early dash. Ballymac Brody moves up in trip here, and will hope to stretch the field early on. Geelo Josh can land this Love The Dogs Winner of One, with Coyote Sting grabbing the runner up spot.
It could be said that Magical Icarus has been something of an enigma for connections, but there is no doubting the natural ability of this brother to Skywalker Logan and Magical Vera. He has had plenty of practice of the Perry Barr circuit in recent weeks, and would be hard to beat if avoiding traffic, although the 660m may be a touch on the short side for him these days. Student Prince finished in front of both Icarus and Riley Ray when giving Affirmed a fright at Nottingham at the start of the month, and tonight’s draw is much more amenable than when again running up in a similar contest here in January. The aforementioned Riley Ray is respected, whilst Savana Darn Hot is unexposed over six bends, and could turn out to be better than we have witnessed so far. Student Prince is taken to get first run on Magical Icarus here.
A cracking sprint, and probably the race of the night. Dream On Lass accounted for no less a dog than Shrewd Call last time out, and Gerry Ballentine’s bitch has clearly never been in better form. Coolavanny Dylan has been amongst the best sprinters in the country for a couple of years now, and is a formidable opponent wherever he turns up. Ben Reynolds has proved he has a sure touch with the hounds thanks to the exploits of the super fast Cronody Zero, and in Matts Malibu he has a dog whose star is very much in the ascendancy, and who is capable of mixing it with the very best. Throw in the talented Geelo Brezza fresh from a Nottingham win earlier this week, and you have a potential thriller. Difficult to be confident here, but the vote goes to the improving Matts Malibu to land the spoils from Coolavanny Dylan.
Castell Stevie has been a star for Lynn and Robert Short, and five of his seven wins have come at the Birmingham venue. Doolin King is a frustrating sort at times, but his second to Geelo Josh at Nottingham reads well in the context of this race. Wanadoo has dipped under the 28.00sec barrier at Henlow on a couple of occasions, and could be suited by the galloping circuit. Waikiki Bullet ran up behind Aayamza Royale in the first round of last year’s St Leger, but has had little racing since. A step up in trip beckons for this likeable sort, and Monmore’s Summer Stayers Classic could be a potential target later in the year for Gary Ferguson’s charge. In the meantime, he would be a danger here if in touch at halfway. Castell Stevie is taken to continue his Perry Barr love affair, with Doolin King claiming the runner up spot.
