BALLYMAC TREND became only the second greyhound after Wendys Dream (1988) to win both an Oaks and a Juvenile Championship – and the first in different years – when producing a faultless front-running display in the prestigious RPGTV-backed annual at Towcester on Tuesday.

Trained by Kevin Boon for owner Colin Davey, who purchased the April 19 whelp from Angie Kibble’s kennel after she won the bitches’ Classic he sponsored last year under the Property192 banner, Ballymac Trend was soon in front after a slick start and was never headed to claim the £5,000 prize.

With market principals Surprising, Jaguar Macie and Tenpin crowding inside, the well-backed-from-double-figures Ballymac Trend (7-1) soon had complete command of the 500m contest and kept up the gallop to cross the line two and a quarter lengths clear of Phil Barlow’s Ballydoyle Razor in 29.62sec (normal).

In behind this pair, Tenpin (David Mullins) edged out Surprising (Seamus Cahill) for third place – but the plaudits went the way of Ballymac Trend, who was winning a second Juvenile for trainer Boon after Murrys Act’s win in 2017.

“Murrys was 12-1 and backed down from big prices and I always thought Ballymac Trend was the value in the race,” said Boon. “She had three sprints at Towcester including a trial and pinged each time and I thought if she could lead off the second bend she’d be tough to catch and so it proved. I’m delighted for her and Colin (Davey).

“He puts his money where his mouth is, gives me the dogs to work with and leaves me to it,” added Boon of the bitch who returned to the fray in the recent Northamptonshire Sprint at the same venue where she reached the semi-finals.

“I then gave her a 500m trial and she had a strong dog in with her in Oakfield Gubby. He stays well but couldn’t get to her so I knew she was coming along nicely. That was her first four-bend trial for some time and her weight and body shape was coming right.”

Boon says he will aim Ballymac Trend at the Star Sports and TRC Events and Leisure Greyhound Derby but is not overplaying her chances.

“That’s a tough competition to win,” he said. “There’s going to be a very strong Irish entry, but of course we’ll give it a go. They underestimated her chances here and maybe they’ll do the same in the Derby!”

Towcester spokesman Nathan Corden said: “Well done to Kevin Boon and Colin Davey – and, of course, Ballymac Trend. She was fantastic on the night and really has franked the Oaks form. Remember she was a puppy when she won that for Angie Kibble, so has always a precocious talent.

“She’s now started the 2021 season in brilliant style and Kevin has obviously done a fantastic job, bringing her through the Northamptonshire Sprint here over two bends before stepping back up to four. She clearly loves Towcester, that’s for sure!

“It’s a busy time here with the midweek greyhound sale and preparations well under way for the Derby in terms of the site as a whole. There’s huge work going on here.

“On the track itself, the Derby trial stakes have now kicked off and will be staged regularly between now and the first round across June 3/4/5. Before then we have the KAB Maiden Derby here, starting on May 4. Entries close on April 30 – so expect some more Derby clues then!”

Clive Lawrence, RPGTV executive producer and speaking on behalf of the big-race sponsors, said: “It was a fantastic performance from Ballymac Trend and well done to connections.

“The Juvenile has a great history and saw a Greyhound of the Year in Ice On Fire win last year – now we have an Oaks champion lifting the title. That’s brilliant for the race as a whole and we’re proud to be associated with it.

“SportyStuffTV/RPGTV is very much the place to be for greyhound fans. We offer top-class racing, interviews and viewer interaction.”