Druids Say Go was a convincing winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr Stadium on Saturday, earning trainer Patrick Janssens his second Oaks win in two years.
The odds-on favourite made no mistake in the £20,000 final by clocking her fastest sectional of the competition before beating runner-up Icemans Girl by 5 ¼ lengths in 27.82 seconds.
Her victory broke new ground as the September ’21 daughter of champion sire Droopys Sydney became the first greyhound to win the East Anglian Derby and Oaks in the same year.
It marked a second Category One success for owners Value Racing Club too, who were trackside to cheer home their star greyhound after she went through the competition unbeaten.
James Couldwell, founder of Value Racing Club, was thrilled Druids Say Go’s performance matched up to expectations.
“It was a fantastic run,” said James. “There was pressure coming into the race as many people expected her to win, but that’s exactly what she did.
“And she made a nice bit of history by completing the East Anglian Derby-Oaks double – she’s got to be up there as one of the best bitches of recent times.
“Patrick has trained some great greyhounds over the years, but he rates her with the best. She’s top class and to break the 28-second mark four times on the bounce is phenomenal.
“We’re so fortunate to own her, we could be waiting decades for another greyhound like her. It’s great for the Value Racing Club and for Patrick and his team as well who work so hard behind the scenes.”
Nathan Hunt’s Icemans Girl – owned by former World Darts Champion Gerwyn Price – finished second while Kevin Hutton’s Coppice Ella was third. Front Alice, Chamberlain Kate and Droopys Eunice were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Elsewhere on the card there were three reasons to be cheerful for Oxfordshire-based trainer Kevin Hutton.
He won the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup with star sprinter and Perry Barr 275m track record holder Rioja Oisin while HopieHopieHopie won a blockbuster Premier Greyhound Racing Marathon Match race against Tom Levers’ Beach Babe. Jet Stream Angel also won a competitive Premier Greyhound Racing Bitches race.
Greyhound enthusiast Paul Woodburn, owner of Rioja Oisin, was pleased to win a third major competition this year following Rioja Bungle’s triumphs in the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby at Newcastle and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr only four weeks ago.
“(Rioja) Oisin and Magical Bluebear made great starts – and we knew then we had a race on,” said Paul. “It was the type of race people want to see, and we were the lucky ones to come out on top.
“We knew he would be a special greyhound after his first race in Ireland. He’s only lost one race, and our patience has paid off.”
The night didn’t pass without a local winner as Simon Deakin’s Transfusion won the Premier Greyhound Racing Dash over the 275m trip in 16.07 seconds.
Greyhound racing continues at Perry Barr Stadium on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings – including Christmas packages – can all be purchased by clicking here.
