Denby achieves his childhood ambition to win the Oaks

Butlers Lane claims Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks glory

Most of us have crazy dreams of what we will do when we are adults. The vast majority of them never happen and sometimes they take decades to come into being. Barry Denby mentioned in the week that his was to win the Oaks and just days shy of his 71st birthday, the veteran trainer had his dream come true when Butlers Lane landed the prestigious prize.

On paper, she was the best drawn bitch in the final and her trademark early boot saw her in front heading to the first bend and with the closers not putting themselves into a position early enough to make a challenge, Butlers Lane came clear of Kilwest Diva and Raebella Bullet for Kim Billingham-Hine and Belinda Green respectively. 

Kennelhand Trevor Jeanes said afterwards, “It’s amazing. Barry has wanted to win this race for a long time, I’m so glad that dream has come true for him. We were just hoping she’d keep qualifying each week and not much more, to win all four rounds is genuinely unbelievable – what a bitch. 

“She’s taken to the track like a dream. She has fantastic early pace and just keeps going – when she leads, she isn’t caught. We’re not sure right now what the plan is, but we’ll have a good chat back home and take things from there.”

Butlers Lane was the only unbeaten finalist coming in, a feat that adds to her story in a remarkable final. Although Billingham-Hine was out of luck with the runner-up, she picked up a pair of winners on the night with Newinn Souly and Pain Barrier, while Green had been successful with Buddy's Bullet earlier on the card.

Pain Barrier became the new holder of the 480m track record, clocking 27.80. The Kirby finalist has hit form in no uncertain terms of late. There was also a track record set over 660m with Patrick Janssens's Romeo Empire setting the standard that others will need to hit. 

The other major final on the night was the Arena Racing Company Scurry which has looked an excellent sprint final on paper. Shadow Storm took the win for Richard Rees, chased home by the Kevin Hutton-trained pair, Jazzy George and Rioja Oisin after a messy opening bend saw some early trouble. Our thoughts with the Pat Doocey team and all connected with Longacres Lad. 

Droopys Doris had won for Hutton earlier on in the night with Droopys Flare picking a staying win for Sean Parker. Armagh Daithi closed the card out with a winner for Mark Wallis with Droopys Extragud for Heather Dimmock and Heres Buddy for Brian Thompson the others to score on the night.

Jazzy George leads Shadow Storm in the final of the Arena Racing Company Scurry Photo: © Steve Nash

Pain Barrier on his way to setting the new 480m track record Photo: © Steve Nash

Droopys Flare wins the Superstars Photo: © Steve Nash

Eunice dominates Romford as part of a Locke double

Maxine Locke was one of two trainers to pick up a Romford brace, with Droopys Eunice and Whitewood Lenny both on target. The former has returned to action in fine form, narrowly missing out on a place in the Oaks final but dominant back over 575m at a happy hunting ground for her. 

Another bitch who has made the six-bend trip at London Road her happy place is Fabulous Sonique who added another win to her impressive career tally for Mark Wallis. 28 of the veteran's 38 career wins have come at the track. 

Katie O'Flaherty was the other trainer to pick up a double on the night. Carmelfromcanew and Tip Top Nitro both scored over 400m for the kennel, the former winning his 11th race in just 22 starts and the latter keeping up the 50% strike rate for the kennel winners, adding his 8th win in 16 races. The litter brothers perhaps had some help from above after Ciaras Treasure (another from the litter) passed away a couple of days back following an illness. Again, thoughts with connections. 

There were two 750m races on card, Ballymac Nova making It back-to-back victories over track and trip for Pamela Cross before Princess Matilda scored for Gemma Evans, making her debut over eight bends.

Zenith Impact had made her way through to the final of the Guys & Dolls recently for David Mullins, getting back on the winning trail with the top 400m performance of the night, a 24.01 run. 

Paul Young had a winner courtesy of Yahoo Mareike. She has won four of her last six at the track, either side of making the final of the Empress Stakes at Towcester. Rolo Rosie (Sally Johnson), Isthatmyfella (Jane Craske) and Swift Comrade (Jason Bloomfield) rounded out the winners.

A bad night for Sunderland favourites

There were three opens at Sunderland where the market leaders finished third, fifth and sixth. Millhill May was the quickest of the winners, landing a Category Three maiden final for George Stark. She got on the bunny early this week, having needed every inch of the 450m to get her head in front in the heats. 

Whitehills Titan landed the first open race contest of the night for Ryan Buckton while the other open went to Borneo Bucks for Chantelle McNicholas. 

Upcoming Opens

Saturday: Central Park ♦ Doncaster ♦ Yarmouth

Sunday: Sheffield

Monday: Nottingham

Tuesday: Swindon

Friday: Romford