RIOJA JOEY was comfortably quickest of Saturday’s heat winners in the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory of M Lambe Senior at Perry Barr – the GBGB Category One event over 480m which shared the stage with the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger.

 

The Kevin Hutton-trained May 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Nice Mystery paced up well on his way to a slick 3.51sec sectional on his way to a runaway four-and-a-half length win in heat four over Kantoher Jack (Adam Sear) and Chelms Greatest (Darren Whitton) in 28.03sec (normal), setting the standard in the competition.

 

Victory for Rioja Joey, a Derby Plate finalist, landed a Birmingham Cup heat double for the Hutton camp after Cuckoo Fund struck in heat one as the October 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Jet Stream Proof finished best to deny longtime leader and Laurels champion Hawkfield Ozark (Patrick Janssens) and Warzone Tom (Liz McNair) in 28.42sec (normal).

 

Fastest sectional in the first round was posted by Ladbrokes Gold Cup runner-up Churchfield Syd as Richard Rees’s dog blasted to a 3.49sec split on his way to a near-four lengths success over the staying on Goldies Perryman (Paul Foster) and Drive On Lad, a kennelmate of the winner, in 28.23sec (normal).

 

Bockos Crystal made a good night for trainer Graham Holland even better as the Irish Derby runner-up helped the Co Tipperary-based handler to a treble on the night when winning heat three, adding to two Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger heat wins.

 

The August 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary was led early by local hope Bandit Billy (John Lambe) but finished strongly to lead rounding the last bends to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths from that rival and Glenmalure Flyer (Steven Howard) in 28.26sec (normal) to justify 1-2 favouritism.

 

Defending champion Ivanexile eased the disappointment of kennelmate Space Jet’s elimination from the St Leger as Matt Dartnall’s star landed the spoils in heat five showing his trademark early dash (3.52sec sectional) and all-round pace before coming home three lengths clear of Havana Bale Out (Liz McNair) and Trouble Shooter (Stuart Tighe) in 28.30sec (normal).

 

The sixth and final heat saw Arc Northern Flat champion Brookside Richie put his rivals to the sword impressively as a turn of early pace set up a first-bend lead and four-and-a-half lengths success over Forest Icon (Kevin Hutton) and Ireland’s Ballymac Run (Liam Dowling) in 28.18sec (normal).

 

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “There’s no question that having the Birmingham Cup running alongside the St Leger as a Cat One double-header adds to the occasion in no uncertain terms and we’re proud once again to stage another renewal of the Birmingham Cup, backed, as in previous years, by Perry Barr trainer John Lambe in memory of his late father Michael.

 

“The original entry was oversubscribed so the competition already looked ultra-competitive and Saturday’s heats probably did nothing to change that view – despite Rioja Joey setting the bar high with his 28.03sec win. Even so you couldn’t be certain who will lift the trophy with a number of realistic chances – both from here and Ireland!

 

“It was great to see Ivanexile win again. It means we have both defending champions in the Birmingham Cup and the St Leger heading into this weekend’s semi-finals which is great. I remember 12 months ago after Ivanexile won his heat, saying something along the lines that here was a youngster going places, and he didn’t disappoint when winning the Birmingham Cup and he’s back trying to defend the title.”

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory of M Lambe Senior semi-finals: https://www.perrybarr-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/