Leading trainer Tom Heilbron hopes to carry his positive form from Judgement Night into the Arena Racing Company Laurels on Saturday when the category one competition begins.
The Trimdon handler almost caused a huge upset at Perry Barr a week ago when finishing third on 36 points behind eventual Judgement Night champion Mark Wallis and runner-up Nathan Hunt.
Star puppy Deliverooo and January ’23 dog Clona Dash were winners on the night for Tom’s team, and both greyhounds have been confirmed to run in Saturday’s Laurels heats where the top three from each race will advance to the following week’s semifinals.
The kennel is also represented by Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup runner-up Unanimous Leon and ARC Puppy Cup champion Untold Ruble plus Romeo Jackson and Brinkleys Louis.
“It’s been a slow start to the year, but we’re beginning to hit a bit of form,” said Tom. “Judgement Night last week was great to be involved with.
“It proved we can compete with the best and the night was seriously competitive – the fact Mark (Wallis) won on the night having not won any of the six races tells the story and congratulations to his team.
“We’ve got a strong team entered for the Laurels. Deliverooo is a greyhound that improves for a look around a track so I’d like to think he has a good chance of qualifying. The same applies to (Untold) Ruble, she should come forwards for the run but has a tough draw in three.
“Clona Dash will need to blast out from the boxes and lead as he did last week and Unanimous Leon always gives 110 per cent. If he can hold Longacres Magic to the first turn, he can turn handy and on his day he’s capable of holding the best.
“Romeo Jackson is on the way back from injury and ran well enough on Saturday in an Open Race. (Brinkleys) Louis gives me the impression he’ll be a better greyhound in his second season but if he comes away well he can qualify.”
This year’s Laurels marks the final category one competition Perry Barr will host before the track’s operation moves to Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton later this year.
To mark the occasion, the track has launched a free admission offer for finals night on Saturday, April 19, where the first 200 people to book a general admission ticket can enjoy the night for free.
Chris Black, General Manager at Perry Barr Stadium, said: “The Laurels is always a highlight on our racing calendar.
“There’ll be mixed emotions at this year’s final as it’s the last competition we host before moving. We want to go out with a bang, so have opened up a free admission offer to the first 200 people who book.
“If you’re yet to experience the thrill of live racing, this is a great opportunity to do so.”
Tickets for the heats, semifinals and final of the Arena Racing Company Laurels are on sale and can be booked by clicking here. Doors open each night at 6pm with the first race off an hour later.
2025 Arena Racing Company Laurels draw:
Heat One: Unanimous Leon, Longacres Magic, Romeo Control, Phoenix Posh, Droopys Prefect, Tiffield Tarquin.
Heat Two: Wrighty, Kilara Berb, Kilmore Dancer, Droopys Manowar, Hilton Wolf, Churchfield Syd.
Heat Three: Southfield Poppy, Aayamza Sydney, Acomb Felix, Fabulous Aria, Beaming Panther, Whitewood Lenny.
Heat Four: Easy Eamon, Romeo Kingpin, Untold Ruble, Winscale Wonder, Clona Dash, Armagh Daithi.
Heat Five: Millbank Boiler, Coppice Trophy, Druids Say Go, El Tornillo, Romeo Jackson, Deliverooo.
Heat Six: Romeo Steel, Antigua Kestrel, Long Fellow, Bluejig Baron, Bacon Roll, Brinkleys Louis.
