Barkley sparkles as Star Pelaw unveils new hurdles course

RAZLDAZL BARKLEY, who won the last hurdles race staged in the UK on the night Crayford closed in January 2025, appropriately launched a new era when he was the first to trial over Star Pelaw's jumps course on Thursday.

One of three hurdlers to make the long journey north with trainer Rick Holloway, Razldazl Barkley set the standard when clocking 26.06sec (+20) for the 435m trip with kennelmates Mickys Tribute and Dazl Hermes subsequently posting 26.38sec and 26.57sec respectively.

Star Pelaw racing manager Dave Gray was delighted with the way the mini trials session went, although he did admit to some first night butterflies.

He said: "The RM was probably the most nervous person at Star Pelaw tonight!

"We just wanted things to to go without a hitch as there were plenty of eyes on the track, not least the GBGB who were represented by a strong contingent.

"In all seriousness, things went really well and Rick [Holloway] was very complimentary about both the track and the layout of the hurdles.

"Both he and [GBGB senior steward] Duncan Gibson made some constructive suggestions as to how we can improve things going forward.

"The dogs themselves did us proud, Razldazl Barkley who went first was really fluent at the obstacles and stopped the clock at 26.06sec which would be pretty rapid for a dog having its first look at the track on the flat never mind over hurdles."

Star Pelaw hopes to stage a hurdles race in the not-too-distant future and will encourage local handlers to get involved a little further down the line.

Gray added: "Going forward the aim is to advertise an open-race hurdle which both Rick and Barry O'Sullivan have kindly agreed to support.

"In turn, that will hopefully lead to our trainers schooling some greyhounds over hurdles so we can look to stage at least one race per week.

"Mid- to long-term we would love to revive some of the hurdle competitions such as the Grand National and Champion Hurdle."