BILLYS DIVA became the fifth Irish-trained winner of the English Oaks as Maria Kennedy’s top-class tracker overcame wet conditions to grab gold in the Arena Racing Company-sponsored Classic at Perry Barr on Thursday.

Runner-up in the Irish National Puppy Stake last year at Shelbourne Park before making the finals of the Easter Cup and Shelbourne 600 this term, plus then finishing third in the Irish Oaks, the February 2019 daughter of Good News and Jaytee Sahara arrived with a tall reputation among a strong Irish-trained entry and made no mistake in the £15,000 final.

Breaking smartly from the inside slot, Billis Diva was soon contesting the lead with fast-starting Ritzy Lady – and it was Jim Reynolds-trained runner, the youngest finalist, who took up the running approaching the first bend and made the best of her way home.

However Billys Diva was never far off the action – the pair pulled a long way clear of the remainder after second-bend crowding – and gradually closed on Ritzy Lady before hitting the front close home to win by three-quarters of a length in 28.88sec (-80).

Martin Seal, Perry Barr racing manager, reserved special praise for the winner and runner-up as he reflected on the night which saw the weather play a huge part, although failed to dampen the spirits of a decent crowd at the Birmingham track.

He said: “In the circumstances it was a great race. We may not have had the weather, which was more akin to what one might find in the middle of the North Sea, but there were plenty of top drawer performances on the track.

“And both the front two ran absolute crackers. Billys Diva has proven time and again she has both ability and courage in spades and needed every ounce of both to fend off a gallant Ritzy Lady to win the Arena Racing Company Oaks.

“Jim Reynolds’ bitch wears her heart on her sleeve and gave it everything she had, only being run out of it close home. But credit must go to Billys Diva and the Kennedy family for their ambition and hard work which has resulted in Classic glory. They undertook a huge amount of travelling from across the Irish Sea for a trial and then four rounds of the Oaks.

“Indeed, on that, commiserations to Mark O’Donovan, trainer of Skywalker Cilla who’s been another star of this year’s Oaks. Having the likes of Skywalker Cilla, Billys Diva and Good Diva taking part has been an absolute privilege, and I hope the connections of more other Irish-trained greyhounds will be encouraged to pay us a visit in the future.

“The undercard was not lacking in quality. Obviously we had the Scurry and a brilliant performance from Crossfield Dusty, but also worthy of special mention is another Patrick Janssens-trained runner, the Dave Firmager-owned puppy Romeo De Niro.

“He indicated he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in all the major four-bend events next year when winning the Arc Puppy Stake.

“Finally, my thanks are extended to all connections who have supported Perry Barr’s Classic and major events over the past two months. We have been treated to some thrilling racing throughout – and I’m sure 2022 will be even better.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=378775&raceId=786092