Martin Seal, the racing manager at Perry Barr, anticipates a robust second half of 2024 following the initiation of regular Saturday opens at the Birmingham track.
Last Saturday’s events saw trainer Nathan Hunt dominate, securing a treble with Seaview Sydney, Droopys By Amile, and Cunnigar Yousir. His Cooladerry Dust also excelled at Hove in a Coral Regency heat. Seal mentioned that Cooladerry Dust seems to have strong potential for the St Leger, a prestigious Premier Greyhound Racing-backed Classic scheduled for September.
Seal acknowledged Hunt’s success on the open-race circuit, noting his willingness to travel and expressing confidence that Hunt will have contenders in all major events later this year.
The 710m Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger, won last year by Droopys Clue (who also won a Coral Sussex Cup heat at Hove on Saturday), will commence on Saturday, September 7. The semi-finals will be held on September 14, culminating in the £20,000 final on September 21.
Running alongside the St Leger will be the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup, held in memory of Michael Lambe Senior and sponsored by the family of Perry Barr trainer John Lambe. The heats, semi-finals and the £12,500 final will be contested over 480m.
In October, the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks will feature a £20,000 final on Saturday, October 26, alongside the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup, a Category Two event. This 275m sprint show-piece will coincide with the final rounds of the Oaks.
Seal emphasised the significance of these competitions to Perry Barr, highlighting the special atmosphere anticipated for the final nights of the St Leger and Birmingham Cup, as well as the Oaks and Scurry Gold Cup later in the year. Reflecting on the successful Arena Racing Company Laurels final in April, he expressed confidence that the excitement would be replicated for these Saturday night events.