Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal casts an expert eye over the 12 first round heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks.
Last week’s St Leger card saw four wins and four seconds from Martin’s twelve selections.
The first heat of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks has an open feel to it, and punters may struggle to find a favourite. As luck would have it, Jimmy Fenwick’s two entries have been drawn to face each other. Both have reached top grade at their home track, although Coppice Psyche looks slightly the better drawn of the pair. Global Prima performed with credit last week on her first look at the track, but is likely to be tacking in on the run up, comments which also apply to Droopys Delia. Arthur Pumpkin has been allocated a better draw this week, but may need to tread carefully round the first two turns in order to hold her position. If she can accomplish that feat, then her strength may come into play in the second half of the contest. Annadown Poppy has been brought along steadily by Belinda Green, and connections are now reaping the rewards.
Whats Up Eva has had plenty on her plate in the last couple of months, taking in the Monmore Gold Cup and Birmingham Cup along the way, and this evening’s assignment restricted to her own sex should provide a welcome relief. No Worries has seen little racing this year, and Kevin Hutton has been treading carefully as he brings the daughter of Forest Natalee back to full fitness. Unraced in Ireland, Front Mali has gained experience at Harlow, Monmore and Oxford, and gives the impression that she is one of whom we have yet to see the best. Crystal Duchess has recently switched from Crayford to the Ben Reynolds kennel, and may come into her own once fully settled into her new surroundings.
My Little Ivy struggled with a trap 1 draw last week, and may do so again this evening. Moments Of Magic was a little sluggish from the boxes in her trial, but came home well, and gave the distinct impression she would improve for the look round. Tasi Lava is a confirmed railer, and will hope for a good break to establish a decent early position. Old Fort Chicago moved well in a sprint trial last week, and has the gears to potentially spring a surprise for Kevin Boon. Roanna Storm remains a maiden, but would be of interest if able to rediscover her Enniscorthy Future Champion Sweepstake form from earlier in the year. Glengar Jenny boasts a decent turn of early pace, and is likely to be tacking in from her outside draw.
Just about the heat of the round here, and with just three to qualify, there will be no margin for error. Droopys Samantha reached last year’s Oaks final, won by Billys Diva, and having won her last two without seeing another rival, looks to be running into form at just the right time. Blackrose Pippa is something of a Towcester specialist, and with a trap 3 berth looking ideal, the only worry would be how much of an effect a recent bout of coughing has had on Eric Cantillon’s star. No Rush did well to reach the final of Swindon’s Produce Stakes, and Carol Weatherall’s blue has shown an affinity for the Perry Barr circuit on more than one occasion. Coppice Josie first came to prominence in a Newbridge Unraced Bitch Stake, where she was beaten in the final by Slick Sakina, and backed that up subsequently with fast runs at Limerick, Shelbourne and Cork. A recent track record at newly-opened Oxford confirmed her well-being, although it remains to be seen whether a trap 2 draw will enable her to produce the ping break that could well be essential in a contest as warm as this.
Fabulous Azurra was foot perfect in the final of the Empress Stakes, and Dave Firmager’s blue arrives at the top of her game. Droopys Starlet first made her mark in a Perry Barr puppy stake this time last year, a contest subsequently won by Laurels and Produce Stakes champ Signet Denver, and although unable to match those efforts since, a return to the circuit she so clearly loves could be the catalyst that Chris Fereday’s bitch needs. Shall We was highly touted before her UK debut, and although things didn’t quite work out as planned, Matt Dartnall’s charge lost nothing in defeat, and remains a very useful prospect. Chasing Norma has done well in her short career to date at home track Sheffield, and was a little unlucky to have her ground taken when trialling last week. Tullymurry Spell will likely have to step up on what we have seen so far in this country.
Several with question marks against their name in this sixth heat, and perhaps a chance for one of these to make their mark. Droopys Optimal was withdrawn coughing from the final of the Empress Stakes, and with a potential fitness doubt clouding the issue, punters may decide to take the trap 6 runner on, although it should be remembered that Eric Cantillon most certainly knows what he’s doing. Bonjour Bullet certainly wasn’t disgraced last week, and should continue to improve, whilst Longacres Queen kept decent company in Ireland, and was a finalist in Waterford’s Munster Oaks. Bred in the purple Ballymac Walnut has made a bright start to her career, and although the leap from graded company is a sizeable one, Steve Anderson’s youngster could possess the tools to handle it. The likeable Tullymurry Olive returns following several months on the sidelines, and has a bit to prove, although the draw is just about perfect.
Front Pasha made the second round of the Irish Oaks earlier in the year when known as Droopys Sanita, as well as reaching the final of the same Shelbourne stake as Shall We, so the form has certainly worked out well. Now in the care of the excellent Kevin Proctor, two looks round have produced two very decent times, and she could be one who will ultimately go a long way in the competition. Inexplicably, Slick Sakina remains a maiden, but that tag seems likely to be dispensed with at some point soon, possibly this evening. Sleek By Design was one of five littermates to reach the Produce Stakes final, although the trap 3 runner appeared to get a little lost when having a look round last week. Ballymac Lizzy found all sorts of trouble when poorly drawn last time out, and is capable of better.
Distant Emma gave her rivals a running lesson when scooting up in a puppy contest last week, and although this is harder, Peter Band’s exciting youngster looks able to take the rise in class in her stride. Mustang Kim flies the Perry Barr flag for Gerry Ballentine, and will look to hit the lids and make every yard. Russmur Liz posted a very decent trial time a couple of weeks back, although a better start may be required if she is to finish in the first three. Mrs Chuckle represents shrewd connections, and with four spins at the track under her belt, no stone has been left unturned in her preparation. Ratchies Saphire has been competing over further, and will hope to catch the leaders napping.
Trumpers Lola refused to countenance defeat in last week’s prep outing, shrugging off more than one challenge in the process, and Mark Wallis’ brindle possesses a terrific attitude. Westwell Emer appeared a little sluggish from the boxes in her trial, but still managed to get to the front at the first bend, and it may well be that a trap 3 berth produces a much slicker exit for the Westwell Racing Club’s representative. Savana Ruinart showed in the PGR St Leger that she possesses the heart of a lion and, granted luck in running, Diane Henry’s classy bitch looks a genuine prospect for outright honours. Apache Breeze can boast a verdict over Trumpers Lola back in August, and although likely to be obliged to make her challenge from off the pace, the trap 1 runner is most definitely no back number. With Newtown Gemma and Orange Josie also likely to be playing their hands early, the first bend lead could be crucial in what appears a cracker of a contest.
Distant Wendy and Antigua Cuddles enjoyed a terrific buckle last week, with the former coming out on top, and both will have designs on landing this tenth heat of the PGR Oaks. Ballymac Intent faced an uphill task following a missed break latest, but stuck on gamely, and proved she is no one trick pony. Kildallon Tilly won on her debut at Swindon, and although trialling nicely, these next couple of weeks will show what she is made of. Ritzy Lady was a gallant runner up in last year’s Oaks final, and although lightly raced this year following a tumble in a heat of the Laurels in April, Jim Reynolds is nothing if not canny, and will have had his eye on a repeat attempt for some time. Abigails Jen is a multiple winner in top grade at home track Newcastle.
Ballymac Ino was withdrawn lame from last week’s intended engagement, although a Sunday Swindon sprint trial indicated she looks pretty straight. Sweet Pear paid the penalty for a missed break last week, but the trap 6 runner has a decent draw on paper, and should be in contention as the field enter the back straight. Unraced in Ireland, Good Vienna‘s UK career has been confined to Newcastle so far, but four successes in eight starts there indicate she has an engine, and could be a dark horse. Crystal Alice sprung a surprise when landing the Angel Of The North at rewarding odds back in July, but has not been seen since, and faces a race against time if she is to go a long way in this competition. Madabout Barbs has been running well over Romford’s six bend trip for the Wizard of Wickford, but a good start will be essential to enable her to hold her position round the first two turns.
