Ballinakill Liam sets the Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver standard
The opening round of the Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver was at Central Park last night with open racing also at Monmore, Oxford and Perry Barr
Silver Salver double for Mark Wallis
Ballinakill Liam and Pavilion Team provided the champion trainer with an opening round double in the Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver on Saturday night. The former produced a 16.03 run to set a clear standard, just a single spot off the track record. He absolutely bombed out the lids to see off Liz McNair's smart King Jackson in the opening heat.
It was a far messier affair that Pavilion Team won, half of the field going over at the corner, including the defending champion Magical Bluebear. His win in 2024 was one of the top moments of the year, trainer Bill Russell finally winning a Category One event. Sadly news broke this morning of Bill's passing, our thoughts with Mark and all of Bill's family and friends.
Rioja Oisin laid down a marker himself with a smart 16.21 success for Kevin Hutton. It was only his second run of 2025 so there is going to be more to come from him in the coming weeks.
Although Liz McNair was out of luck with King Jackson, Queen Dusty won her heat in 16.32 with Ricky Holloway and Michelle Brown also getting heat winners with Mickeys Tribute and Roanna Mamba respectively.
Other open race winners on the card including an impressive six-bend win for Borna Parachute for David Mullins. He was a 3/10 shot to do so having opened at 1/2, comfortably getting off the mark in the UK. Millbank Boiler produced an impressive 28.75 success for Gemma Evans with Paul Donovan picking up the other winner on the night with Hopes Kitty.
Doocey doubles up at Perry Barr
There were six opens on the Perry Barr card with Pat Doocey picking up wins from Longacres Lad and Hilton Wolf. The former was just the sixth different greyhound to dip under 16 seconds on the year while the latter showed once more how much this track suits him, only missing out on a spot in the Arena Racing Laurels final by a length back in April.
Hurry Up Brendan is 5/6 in A1 grade at this track so far in 2025, adding an open race success for John Lambe. He exited the Derby in the second round but has quickly got himself back on the winning trail.
Another local performer with an excellent strike rate is Gerry Ballentine's Noels Spider. A litter-brother to Friday's Romford scorer Droopys Rosie, he produced a very slick 3.40 sectional on his way to a 28.35 success.
There was a dead heat in the six-bend contest with the judge unable to split Kelly Harrison's Mercia Saxon and Chloe Hardy's Baby Firefly. The other open contest went to Simon Deakin's Ballysloe Simba.
Two open contests at Monmore
It was a relatively quiet evening for opens at Monmore. A sprint contest went to Patricia Cowdrill's Elderberry Fire, a fifth straight win for the daughter of Ice On Fire and her first in open race company. Brian Thompson took the other open with Paradise Sky who made every yard, chased home by Droopys Suprstar.
Nayla with second fastest 450 of 2025
Just a pair of opens at Oxford as well but those in attendance were treated to a flying display from Kevin Hutton's Signet Nayla. Her 26.44 is only 20 spots off the 450m track record and just three ticks off the fastest time of the year so far. Craig Williams had the other open winner on the card with Crystal Turtle.
Upcoming Opens
Monday: Nottingham
Tuesday: Swindon
Friday: Sunderland
Saturday: Central Park
