QUARTEIRA made it back-to-back victories in the event for champion trainer Mark Wallis when racing unbeaten through the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup, the traditional sprinters’ Classic, at Perry Barr on Saturday.

The £6,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category Two event supported the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Final on a huge double-header at the Birmingham venue and, despite heavy rain which saw a mid-meeting delay to racing, both finals produced tip-top performances to cheer a rather damp crowd!

No Rush later landed the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks for Carol Weatherall and the Purdy family and Quarteira also justified favouritism when dominating the Scurry Gold Cup Final, as he had the 275m competition from the start.

Well away and soon in command, the March 2021 son of Ballymac Best and Kilara Jessie, trained by Wallis for the MWD Partnership of himself, Mike Davis and Michelle Connolly, never really looked in danger before coming home one and three-quarter lengths clear of Headford Sonny (Robert Hall) and Laughil Flash (Robert Galloway).

The winning time was a slick 16.15sec (-5) and delighted Dan Wallis, son of the winning trainer, who said: “When he traps like that he’s a top sprinter and there wouldn’t be much between him and Gougane Jet when they both come away.

“Sometimes he puts the odd missed break in and then uses his early pace to get himself out of trouble, but to be fair he’s been trapping really well at Perry Barr and that’s helped! We’ve looked at maybe putting him up to a short four bends but I’d say the (Arena Racing Company) National Sprint at Nottingham would be a target.”

Martin Seal, Perry Barr racing manager, said: “First off, many thanks to the track staff who did an amazing job to get the meeting back on. The hare rail flooded given the incessant rain, pretty much from 6pm. The track itself drains really well and would have held the rain and, once we started again, it held up well.

“Thankfully, the worst of the rain held off for the rest of the meeting once we started again from race five – and we were treated to some cracking action. Well done to our major winners, No Rush (Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks) and Quarteira (Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup), and to their connections.

“We were delighted to recently announce the dates for the (Premier Greyhound Racing) St Leger and Oaks for 2024 and they’ve been joined this week by confirmation of the Laurels, Birmingham Cup and Scurry Gold Cup. Hopefully, that gives owners and trainers plenty to look forward to – and to plan for – next year.”