Regular readers will recall last year’s open race previews from Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal. His attention to detail and selections were absolutely from the top draw. Here are his views on the first round heats from the £20K to winner Premier Greyhound Racing St.Leger and the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior.
Havana Class was only a short head away from landing the Laurels/Birmingham Cup double last year, and the flying fawn clearly loves it here. Ballymac Conti and De Bumblebee have done connections proud, but will have to hit the lids and be brave at the bend with Havana Class likely to be edging in on the run up. Skidroes Buick’s 28.43 at Newcastle is not to be sniffed at, and Stuart Tighe’s black is interesting from what appears an ideal draw. Milton Noah and Billis Tudor will have to bring their A game in a race with bucketloads of early boot.
Sel: Havana Class
All tracks and trips seem to come alike to Blueberry Bullet, and the trap 3 runner reached last year’s decider for The Bruiser Boyz. Darbys Delight has been on my radar for a couple of months now, and Tom Heilbron’s black was a touch unlucky when chasing home Warzone Tom in the Summer Stayers Classic. Guiri Steve showed he maintains plenty of enthusiasm when routing a trial stake field last week, and is no back number. Cochise has recently stepped up to six bends, and gives the impression there is more to come.
Sel: Darbys Delight
Kaluki steps into all aged company here having made his mark as a puppy, including reaching the final of Towcester’s Juvenile Classic. Ivanexile had to work hard to hold off the trap 5 runner in a semi-final of that event, and the pair are clearly very useful indeed. Aussie Captain will be four in November, but has relatively few miles on the clock, and could be hard to catch if leading round the first bend. Bambis Magic has some decent form on his short CV, and appears to have a nice draw from which to work. Mystical Mario represents sponsor John Lambe and is not out of this.
Sel: Ivanexile
Havana Lover has bags of potential, and the step up in trip could well be within her compass despite her tender age. Chelms Cub won heat and semi of the Regency, and has to be taken seriously having mixed it with the best in recent months. Ratchies Saphire found all sorts of trouble in last week’s trial stake, but is better judged on decent Sheffield and Kinsley six bend form. Droopys Soldier reached the semi finals of Shelbourne’s Corn Cuchulainn, and last week’s sparkling four bend trial marked him down as a potential dark horse for Michael Hurst.
Sel: Havana Lover
Droopys Good is now three from three in the UK for Paul Carpenter and Bev Lochead, and racked up no less than fourteen wins when based in Ireland. Master Ten Ten proved he is no one trick pony when coming from off the pace to land his trial stake, and the red jacket could prove invaluable in a tough contest such as this. Innfield Trojan’s form bears the closest inspection, and the trap 2 runner found all sorts of bother in the final of Monmore’s Gold Cup. Joes Jet came out on an elastic band in his preparatory trial, and would make them all go if managing to lead round the first turn. Chelms Road is well housed out wide.
Sel: Droopys Good
Antigua Sugar is yet another talented recruit for Nic and Amanda Jeal, and the step up in trip appears a natural progression for Mark Wallis’ smashing bitch. Paul Matthews makes the trip over from Newry with the unexposed Famous Eight, with the heavyweight black having finished strongly to land a Shelbourne 575yd affair last time out, giving the distinct impression a greater test of stamina would prove no issue. Baggios Maid battled hard to land a trial stake last week, but the draw in 4 poses a few problems. There could be more to come from Low Pressure now housed in the middle, whilst Maglass Brave will hope to nip round the first turn in front, but is quite capable of doing just that.
Sel: Antigua Sugar
An open looking heat of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup. Vixons Flyer caught the eye with a sparkling 28.26 trial last week to complete his preparations, and the trap 3 runner clocked 28.66 when winning at Clonmel in May. Whats Up Eva reached the final of Monmore’s Gold Cup last month, but will need a good break to make use of her inside pitch. Freedom Epic clocked a flying 28.37 at home track Newcastle in June, and something similar today might well be good enough. Hilight Arkle has clearly had his issues off the track, but the trap 5 runner retains plenty of ability, and cannot be dismissed. Chelms Chris won’t be two until October, but John Mullins will be sure to have the young brindle primed to run well here. Seven Outta Ten won his only Perry Barr start back in July, one of nine career successes, and the draw looks decent.
Sel: Seven Outta Ten
Savana Ruinart is two from two since arriving in the UK, including an impressive success in Nottingham’s Select Stayers last month. Diane Henry’s bitch possesses both early pace and stamina. Callmesteve has been kept busy since being snapped up by connections at last October’s Sheffield sales, including an unbeaten run through Towcester’s Gain Nutrition Challenge Cup. Barnagrane Amber has a peach of a draw on the inside, and last year’s Select Stayers winner has a point to prove. Milton Pepe and Droopys Jungle will be staying on when others have cried enough.
Sel: Savana Ruinart
Chelms Yes ran a blinder to finish runner up in this year’s ARC Laurels, and the trap 5 runner is expected to go well for his new handler at a track he clearly likes. Go Commando saw off Daring Deise in a trial stake last week, and is another who has done well at the Barr. Snake Root split two of the fastest youngsters in the country when running up in Sunderland’s ARC Puppy Cup in June, and could be a player for Harry Burton. Goldies Perryman is a tough customer, and will need no second invitation to pounce should the leaders falter.
Sel: Snake Root
Savana Beau makes his eagerly awaited six bend debut in heat five, and although the 710m trip is a demanding one, Kevin Boothby’s Derby finalist is expected to take it in his stride. Chief threat could well be kennelmate Savana Eruption, returning following a couple of months on the sidelines, but whose recent trial work has been good, and who landed last year’s Three Steps To Victory. Ramors Jet clocked the fastest time of the year over the Barr’s 660m trip back in March, and could ruffle a few feathers if arriving in good shape. Lemming Fly has been making hay at Harlow, and arrives looking for the five timer.
Sel: Savana Beau
Burnchurch Mick disappointed in April’s Laurels, but is worth another chance in heat 6 of the Birmingham Cup. Bower Bucko is an unexposed type for Mark Wallis, and could be one to keep an eye on, whilst Chelms Switch and Adeles Duke possess ferocious early pace, and will look to stretch the field in the first half of the contest. God Bless is expected to improve on last week’s trial stake effort, whilst Drive On Lad won’t turn two until November, but has already made his mark against good company, and is one of whom we could be hearing a lot more next year for Richard Rees.
Sel: Burnchurch Mick
The final heat of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger, and what a contest to finish the evening. Bombardier has been there, done it, and got the t-shirt, and will look to boss proceedings on the inside. Mark Wallis’ white and black looks like he needs a proper test these days. Savana Spartacus has few miles on the clock, but can count a five length plus success over last year’s Leger heroine Space Jet at Towcester in March amongst his four UK wins. He could be anything. Savana Volcano has seen little racing this year, but her reserves of stamina could be invaluable as the demands of this trip kick in as the field enter the closing stages. Amaze Me Seb is a fascinating contender, and could be the surprise package of the whole competition, whilst Baggios Champ could ruffle a few feathers if managing to secure a first bend lead.
Sel: Amaze Me Seb
