MARTIN SEAL
As Perry Barr revealed their award winners for 2016, racing manager Martin Seal summed up the track’s position with his regular blend of realism and optimism.
He said: “2016 proved a challenging year (aren’t they all?) for everyone at Perry Barr. After a decent start, racing strength numbers came under severe pressure in August and September, with eight and nine race evening cards a common sight. We lost trainers Louise Eccles (to retirement) and Barry Denby (to Nottingham) in 2016, which were body blows to say the least.
“But it says a lot about the resilience and fortitude of greyhound folk that we were able to recover and bounce back to show a healthy finish to the year. Being chosen to host the BAGS/SIS Track Championship Final for the third time in five years was another feather in our cap, Towcester’s victory capping a feast of excellent racing on a wild and windy December Friday.
“Our Saturday night open races have a proved a resounding success, with regular good quality contests over a variety of distances. My thanks are extended to all trainers who visited us in 2016, with a particular mention to Kevin Cobbold, Pat Rosney, Corren Price, June McCombe, Carl Perry, Charlie Lister, Sandra Ralph, Geraldine Kovac, Ron Harwood and Gerry Ballentine.
“As for 2017, we start on a positive note with the racing strength in a healthy position and a number of our trainers looking to expand their operations in terms of both quality and quantity. I also hope that we’ll get a few enquiries from prospective permit licence holders in the coming months, as they would almost certainly fit right in amongst our existing trainers.
“We’ve not held a Category 1 competition at Perry Barr since Fear Zafonic landed the Birmingham Cup for Charlie Lister in 2009. It would be great to be able to stage something similar in 2017, should we be able to find a sponsor, and the fact that Perry Barr’s name has been mentioned with regard to possibly staging the St Leger can only help. We have a great team in place throughout the stadium and a good show will be guaranteed.”
Perry Barr Greyhound of the Year for 2016 is Godsend Gold, owned by Ann Holland and trained by Pete Holland. Godsend Gold has been an ever present at the track in 2016, going to traps an admirable 49 times and returning victorious on 13 occasions, for a strike rate of 26.53%.
Racing manager Martin Seal says: “It has to be said Godsend Gold is an extremely bad kenneller when she visits Perry Barr, always running in an early race as a result. However, she is tough as teak, and thrives on her racing, winning both level start contests and off scratch in a handicap. It is also testament to the hard work, love and patience applied by Ann and Pete to all the greyhounds in their care, that so many of their charges enjoy both long and fruitful careers.
The Trainer of the Year for 2016 is Jayne Meek. It was a close battle, as always, with less than 2% strike rate separating the top six. Jayne had a good start to the campaign, but still found herself trailing Pete Holland at the halfway mark. August and November proved productive months for the Forest of Dean handler, and a solid December saw Jayne home in front from a rallying Pete Holland. Special mention too for Paul Meek’s terrific effort in achieving third place.
1st Jayne Meek – 731 runners 146.5 winners 20.04%
2nd Pete Holland – 513 runners 102 winners 19.88%
3rd Paul Meek – 431 runners 83 winners 19.26%
4th Carol Evans – 920 runners 175.5 winners 19.08%
5th Sue Newberry – 317 runners 60 winners 18.93%
6th John Lambe – 682 runners 125.5 winners 18.40%
Perry Barr Kennelhand of the Year for 2016 is Neil Evans. Son of trainer Carol, Neil is the epitome of the unsung hero, quietly going about his business with both professionalism and integrity. Hard work and a willingness to help others come as standard with Neil, and despite being an avid follower of Manchester United, he has a lot of friends at Perry Barr.
