Droopys Clue smashed the Perry Barr 710m track record on Saturday night when clocking 42.33 seconds in the final of the Category One 2023 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger.
Trained by Seamus Cahill, the two-year-old black and white dog out of Droopys Natalia by Out of Range ASB scooped the £20,000 first prize after showing tremendous early pace to never see a rival in the historic six-bend competition.
He was chased home by Irish raider Jacktavern Bella with Pat Curtin’s Millridge Tanic in third while Lightfoot Clark and Coonough Crow finished fourth and fifth respectively.
It completed a faultless St Leger campaign for Droopys Clue who was already a two-time Category One finalist this year before landing owner Alex Hambi the biggest prize of his career to date.
A delighted Hambi said after the race he was blown away by his greyhound’s performance.
“His performance was frightening – absolutely frightening,” said Hambi. “To break the track record is outstanding. He’s got a huge engine and we’re so pleased for the dog.
“We wouldn’t want to run him over any further than the 710m trip, if anything we’ll look at dropping him back a bit. It was a seriously competitive race, and we thought Jacktavern Bella was a big threat.
“But he (Droopys Clue) showed great speed between the fourth and fifth bends which meant he had a big enough lead to defend at the end.”
The Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger wasn’t the only Category One action on the bumper card which attracted a strong turnout of racegoers of all generations.
The £12,500 M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup Final went the way of Newcastle-based James Fenwick and his talented dog Brookside Richie, who turns four next month.
Held in memory of Michael Lambe Senior, this year’s final was won in the first turn when Brookside Richie took advantage of some first-bend crowding to pinch a four-length lead exiting turn two.
The defending Arena Racing Company Northern Flat champion later held Kevin Hutton’s Forest Icon by one-and-a-half lengths from third placed Bockos Crystal. Rioja Joey, Hawkfield Ozark and Churchfield Syd filled the minor placings.
“We’re so pleased with his run,” said Fenwick. “He was clear off the second bend and has held off Forest Icon well at the end to win.
“He’s an older dog, but he still has the capability to win these big races. His experience helps, in my opinion, and knowing what to do at the first bend worked to his advantage.”
Category One greyhound racing returns to Perry Barr on Saturday, October 28 with the Grand Final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. Further information about Perry Barr’s upcoming fixtures is available via www.perrybarr-greyhounds.co.uk.
A full breakdown of Open Race winners from Saturday’s card can be viewed below.
Philomena Lambe Memorial Puppy Duplicated: Ballycleary Ten.
Premier Greyhound Racing Super Stayers Duplicated: Longacres Bullet
Philomena Lambe Memorial Puppy Duplicated: Fair Joe
Premier Greyhound Racing Super Stayers Duplicated: Savana Heross
Ruth’s Back From Australia Dash: Crossfield Larry
Premier Greyhound Racing Bitches: Whats Up Eva
Christy Lambe Memorial Stayers: Jacktavern Magic
M Lambe Construction Services Birmingham Cup Final: Brookside Richie
Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger: Droopys Clue
Premier Greyhound Racing Standard: Long Raven
