DUNSTALL PARK racing manager Martin Seal says there was plenty to like about the first round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and lots to look forward to ahead of Saturday’s second round of the famous Classic.

“I think there was a generous sprinkling of quality throughout the first round and, having achieved a full entry for the race anyway, we are set fair heading into the second round and onwards,” said Seal of the second running of the longstanding competition at Wolverhampton Racecourse after its switch from Perry Barr.

“All the main protagonists fared well – and we had winners from every trap which is always satisfying,” he added before suggesting the 480m track record might be under pressure.

“I’d say Droopys Kathleen’s track record of 27.80sec could be threatened at some point in the next couple of weeks. Certainly it might get a shake-up!”

Fastest of Saturday’s 12 heats was the Mark Wallis-trained Strike It Skye as the Derby Consolation winner came through a cracking battle with Ireland’s Fahrenheit Jess (Graham Holland) in heat four before stopping the clock in 27.94sec (normal).

However, the performance of Graham Holland’s team grabbed the headlines as, aside from Fahrenheit Jess finishing second to Strike It Skye, the Co. Tipperary-based English and Irish Derby-winning handler weighed in with wins for Bombay Special (28.16sec), Ballydoyle Tina (28.21sec) and Newinn Uganda (28.07sec).

Other Oaks heats went to Brian Fairbairn’s impressive off-the-front Slingshot Poppy (28.01sec), the Kevin Hutton pair of Jazzy Belle (28.53sec) and Strideon Clara (28.34sec), while Trainer of the Year pace-setter Maxine Locke also landed a double with Headford Sarah (28.43sec) and Headford Fiona (28.22sec).

David Lewis struck with Alright Tallent (28.16sec), while Paul Young’s Copney Queen (28.18sec) and John Mullins’ Yarmouth Derby winner Aayamza Shazza (28.24sec) also starred on a high-quality night of action with all-the-way successes in their heats.

 

Photos: © Steve Nash