The Arena Racing Company Laurels Final takes centre stage at Perry Barr stadium this evening. Worth £10,000 to the winner the six competitors will be looking to emulate the achievement of last year’s champion Havana Class trained by Liz McNair. Four trainers provide the six runners with Patrick Janssens and Kevin Hutton both doubly represented and John Mullins and Ernie Skeech providing a runner apiece. The main event is supported by 4 other open races including the Good News At Stud sprint final worth £1000 to the winner.
The first open race of the evening comes at 659pm where the runners line up for a 480m maiden. Gary Ferguson’s Go Commando is yet to win in 4 starts here in the UK but won 3 of his last 4 whilst competing on Irish soil around Clonmel. He demonstrated a huge amount of early pace over there and in a race in which the first bend leader is going to hold every chance he’s taken to just about make the bend in front before kicking away for victory. Pat Rosney’s Rock On Ronnie can prove the main danger. He’s been performing at a high level around here and doesn’t have to lead to win. He would appear to be sandwiched between plenty of early pace here and could well be put out of contention at the first bend. If he did manage to squeeze round in a pitch however he’d be a danger to all.
The next open race is a 275m sprint affair at 734pm and Julie Bateson’s Glengar Ronan is selected to make full use of an excellent draw out wide. Ronan is more miss than hit at the lids but when his feet do touch the floor he’s capable of a huge amount of pace to the bend. He’s been off the card since finishing fourth in an open here on the 10th March. He trialled back well in 1619 last week and the time off can see him returning to the track fresh which can be of benefit to sprinting types like himself. He’ll be given most to think about by Paul Burr’s Yarmouth raider Zari Rosie. She’s a pacey sort but is more of a short four bend type than an out and out sprinter. Rosie would prefer to be drawn a little nearer the rail than she is tonight in trap 3 so will need to be foot perfect at trap rise in order to secure her preferred running position. Without doubt a chance in a winnable race but at the likely prices take a chance that Ronan is away something like on terms and he can swoop around the outside.
Standard 480m open action at 806pm and Gary Ferguson can head back up the motorway to his Scottish base with a double courtesy of his Toast Of Sydney. A good trial stakes winner for The Laurels here a few weeks ago he was eliminated from the competition proper in the first-round heat won by Lautaro. This one-off race is a much easier assignment although he can’t afford to be anything but alert at the traps if he’s to hold off Jimmy Gaskin’s Starcash Henry. If he does so and he does make the bend in front then connections can start shouting because he won’t be picked up from that position.
The Good News At Stud Stakes Final over 275m at 836pm with a winner’s prize of £1000 to the winner. After the withdrawal of Barry Draper’s Bad Alibi the race is now a 5-runner affair with John Mullins Ballymac Slapup looking all set to take full advantage of the space now afforded to him on the inside of the track. He’ll need to start lively enough to make the turn in front of kennel mate Signet Goofy however he can just about do so and the big black and white dog can then hold off the persistent challenge of Goofy to the finish line to provide the Mullins team with a one two.
The Arena Racing Company Laurels Final over 480m and with a winner’s prize of £10,000 takes place at 906pm. Ernie Skeech might not carry the reputation of his fellow finalist trainers tonight but make no mistake the man can train a dog and his Trionas Travel is showcasing that perfectly. Off the card since being withdrawn lame from his semi-final engagement in the Monmore Winter Derby in February his comeback trials took a turn for the worse when falling in a 480m preparation trial here late in March. Thankfully no harm was done and he stopped the clock next time round in 2836. This was followed by a superb first round win in 2796 and then a semi-final win that showed he’s no one trick pony with a come from behind effort in 2812. He should still be coming forward and with a break he can make the turn in front. Chelms Yes drawn to his inside wouldn’t be the quickest to the turn and Lautaro on his outside though without doubt pacy in front isn’t the most consistent at trap rise. Skeech can see his greyhound in full command as they head onto the back straight. Signet Denver , Aussie Captain and Headford Flash all line up with chance though in what is an ultra competitive and high class affair.
