IRISH trackers Skywalker Cilla and Billys Diva once again starred as the second round of the Arena Racing Company Oaks took centre-stage at Perry Barr as once again the Birmingham track hosted major open-race action.

Having recently completed the St Leger and with the Scurry Cup kicking off in midweek, it was now time for the bitches’ Classic to provide more top-class action at the venue – and it was Skywalker Cilla who again set the standard on the clock.

Just a week after giving the 480m track record a shake with a 27.98sec return, the Mark O’Donovan-trained Irish Derby Consolation winner again produced the goods in heat two as a slick exit set up a first-bend lead and over Jaguar Macie (Graham Rankin).

The margin of victory was three lengths and the winning time was another smart 28.04sec (normal), the quickest of the session, ahead of compatriot Billys Diva (28.17sec) who was equally impressive in the opening heat for Maria Kennedy.

Showing the best early pace, this consistent Irish Oaks, Easter Cup and Shelbourne 600 finalist was never threatened once striking the bend ahead, drawing clear to win by almost three lengths from Ritzy Lady (Jim Reynolds) and Magical Firebird (Kevin Hutton).

Pocket Lola impressed with a show of all-round speed in heat six as the Seamus Cahill-trained Produce Stakes winner grabbed fast-starting Billis Nipper (Robert Smith) off the second bend before crossing the line a length clear of that rival in 28.32sec.

Training honours on the afternoon went to Kevin Hutton as Droopys Samantha starred in heat three, coming through a great tussle with Coolavanny Bani (Angela Harrison) to win by a length in 28.25sec, while kennelmate Lights Out (28.72sec) swooped in heat five.

The latter produced a typical strong-running effort to deny kennelmate Anniversary Girl by half a length to land a one-two for Towcester handler Hutton, much to his delight on what proved a cracking weekend for the kennel given successes at Sheffield and Towcester.

He said: “It was a super day at Perry Barr with the ladies, with thankfully all four of our runners making it safely into the semi-finals. Droopys Samantha has a touch of class about her and is still improving as she learns and looks to be our best chance.

“However, Magical Firebird and Lights Out are very strong over this trip and it would be wonderful to see Lights Out make a second Oaks final for the Burtons. Anniversary Girl seems to be coming back to herself following a quiet spell and is running the track well.”

Chris Fereday’s Goldies Mabbutt came with a powerful challenge in heat four to deny longtime leader Mon Amie (Carol Weatherall), the Monmore raider winning by half a length in 29.04sec with the pair qualifying for Thursday’s semis along with Tricia Jezabelle (Keith Robins).

 

Trap draw for the semi-finals: –

First semi: 1 Hather Daisy, 2 Magical Firebird, 3 Billys Diva, 4 Billis Nipper (m), 5 Mon Amie (m), 6 Ritzy Lady (w).

Second semi: 1 Coolavanny Bani, 2 Goldies Mabbutt, 3 Droopys Samantha, 4 Fabulous Azurra (m), 5 Pocket Lola (m), 6 Anniversary Girl (w).

Third semi: 1 Lav Yin Yak, 2 Lights Out, 3 Jaguar Macie, 4 Skywalker Cilla (m), 5 Tricia Jezzabelle (m), 6 Ballymac Trend (m).