Five locally trained greyhounds will represent Perry Barr Stadium on Saturday night in the semi finals of The Laurels – one of UK greyhound racing’s most prestigious competitions.
Worth £12,500 to the winner, the competition was first held in 1930 and returns to Perry Barr for a fourth year this month with an initial entry of 36 reduced to 18 after Saturday’s opening round.
And Kingsbury-based John Lambe has two chances of reaching next Saturday’s Grand Final, with Tullymurry Jenga and Fair Joe both drawn in semi final two. The pair will have to overcome stiff competition from fellow Perry Barr runners Swift Prank and Kilwest Ranger to qualify, plus Inca Gerry and Brickwork Ruck who travel from Doncaster.
Finishing in the first two of Saturday’s race will confirm a spot in the following weekend’s Grand Final, and John is hopeful of reaching back-to-back finals after kennel star Hurry Up Jordan finished third in last year’s race.
“We’re really happy with both greyhounds,” said John. “(Tullymurry) Jenga entered the competition open to improvement so we’re confident he’ll come on well for his run.
“Fair Joe is improving as well and has a great draw in trap three. The same applies for Jenga – any draw in traps one or two is positive for him.
“We understand the race well with two other locally trained greyhounds in the race. Swift Prank is perhaps one of the best A1 greyhounds at Perry Barr and Kilwest Ranger can hold his own at the top level too.
“The Doncaster pair (Brickwork Ruck and Inca Gerry) will be hoping to progress too so like any Category One semi final the competition will be tough.
“It’d be great to reach another Laurels Grand Final so fingers crossed the boys can do the team proud on Saturday night.”
Also representing Perry Barr in The Laurels semi finals is Robert Hall’s Strideaway Roxy, who runs from trap six in the first qualifier which includes three Round One heat winners – Eze, Acomb Felix and Jet Stream Angel.
BGBF British Breeders’ Stakes runner-up Acomb Irene qualified fastest on opening night, stopping the clock at 28.24 seconds. She runs in the third semi final in the company of multiple Category One champion Links Maverick from the Tom Heilbron kennel.
Racing at Perry Barr on Saturday night begins at 7.11pm, with the first of three Laurels semi finals due off at 7.57pm. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings are all available to make by clicking here.
The Laurels Semi Final draw:
Semi Final One: Jet Stream Angel, Acomb Felix, Vixons Filofax, Eze, Acomb Johnny, Strideaway Roxy.
Semi Final Two: Tullymurry Jenga, Swift Prank, Fair Joe, Brickwork Ruck, Inca Gerry, Kilwest Ranger.
Semi Final Three: Links Maverick, Wicky Hiker, Front Alice, Acomb Irene, Blake Delight, Bettys Jack.
