Rioja Bungle produced a sensational come-from-behind performance to win the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Snr at Perry Barr on Saturday.
Kevin Hutton’s September ’22 dog was last entering the first bend but produced a late turn of speed in the final strides to beat long-time leader Darley Diglake and scoop the £12,500 first prize.
It proved an emotional success for greyhound enthusiast and owner Paul Woodburn who celebrated his first Category One victory despite owning dogs for over three decades.
The win capped a standout month for Burford-based Kevin Hutton, his partner Donna Witchalls and the team after they also won the 78th BGBF Produce Stakes at Swindon with Southfield Poppy.
Owner Paul paid tribute to the Hutton kennel after receiving the trophy and admitted he always had faith his star dog could deliver the goods.
“Kevin and the team are so hard working, and they adore their greyhounds,” said Paul. “They do everything right, and always welcome people to the kennel with open arms, I’m so pleased for them.
“(Rioja) Bungle won the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby at Newcastle earlier this year and has appeared in a couple of other big finals. He’s a wonderful dog to own.
“He was last going into the first bend, but a gap appeared and he managed to get up the inside. He was close enough, but it was only off the final bend I allowed myself to start cheering him home.
“I’m a massive Oxford United fan and we picked up a good point against Burnley during the day, this result topped it off.”
The competition was supported by leading civil engineering specialists M Lambe Construction for a fifth year and held in memory of Michael Lambe Snr – father of local trainer John Lambe - who recently passed away.
Chris Black, General Manager at Perry Barr Stadium, added: “A huge congratulations to Rioja Bungle and connections for winning this year’s M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Snr.
“It was a spectacular final which was only decided in the final strides and served as a fitting conclusion to a great competition.
“Our thanks go to M Lambe Construction for the team’s continued support of the Birmingham Cup which has been at the heart of top-level greyhound racing in the midlands since the 1930s.”
Elsewhere on the card, Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver winner Magical Bluebear made a triumphant return to Perry Barr when winning the George The Bread Memorial Dash Division I for William Russell.
Wombourne handler Richie Taberner enjoyed a double with Aero Pattika in the Premier Greyhound Racing Standard Div II and Bangon Carson in Division I.
Lamorna Lexi scooped the Christy Lambe Memorial Stayers Div I while Phil Barlow’s Roanna Amelia won Division II.
North-east trainer Tom Heilbron won the Premier Greyhound Racing Winner of One with Silverhill Ben while Distant Cara took the Premier Greyhound Racing bitches for Matt Dartnall.
There was success elsewhere for Birmingham Cup winning trainer Kevin Hutton with HopieHopieHopie who won the Premier Greyhound Racing Marathon and the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Trial Stakes Div I with Highview Jasman. Division II was won by Catunda Layla.
