SONIC SPUR heads into Saturday’s £15,000 final of The English Oaks at Swindon as favourite following a fastest-of-the-day 28.10sec (-20) in Monday’s semi-finals at the Blunsdon venue.

Trained by Chris Akers and owned by Mark Bates, the July 2017 daughter of Holdem Spy and Bigmans Daisy aims to become a second Oaks winner from the famous Mudros kennels in Newark, the home of Charlie Lister OBE.

Akers, for many years Lister’s head man and assistant, took over the licence last year on Charlie’s retirement and now looks to follow the success of his former boss with Silverview Perky at Wimbledon in 2011.

Breaking well in the third semi-final, Sonic Spur was soon dictating terms outside and, given she reached the Yorkshire St Leger final, her strength and stamina saw her stretch out to win by seven lengths from the Belinda Green-trained Touchdown Erin.

Kim Billingham, trainer of 2008 Oaks winner Meenala Amy, landed a superb one-two in the first semi with youngster Ballymac Saga (28.68sec, -20) coming home strongly to catch another April 18 whelp Ballymac Cloud and win by almost four lengths, much to the delight of the Monmore handler.

“When you have two together in one semi-final, you’re just hoping one gets through – so to get two was great. Unfortunately (Ballymac) Desire was knocked out in her semi, but Saga and Cloud ran really well and it’s great to be in the final.

“When you’ve won it before, it gives you a real taste and desire to do it again. I can’t believe Amy’s win was ten years ago – where has that time gone? Anyway we’re going there to enjoy it and hopefully things fall right for them.

“Both are young and have just progressed really nicely. They were running in good graded races at Monmore, with Ballymac Cloud running in the odd open at Monmore and she wasn’t being disgraced. I just thought we’d give it a go.

“They both came from Liam Dowling. Mike Rowe did the deal along with Saga’s sister Sporting Rita who’s winning some nice races for Jerry Griffin.

“Mike has kept an interest with myself in Saga and Alex McCarthy and Keith Parsons own Ballymac Cloud. I think in time Saga will be a nice stayer, but it’s Saturday we’re all looking forward to now. It’s a real boost to the kennel in a tough year.

“Losing dad (Peter Billingham) suddenly really hit us hard, but he’d want us to carry on and that’s exactly what we’re doing. The team work long and hard through the week, so it’s nights like Saturday and being in an Oaks final which makes it special.

“I enjoy training bitches especially, and these two are great, as are the others. We were hoping Ballymac Miscula (2018 Brighton Belle winner) would be ready in time, but it wasn’t to be for her, but it’s great two of our younger kennelmates have made it through.”

The second semi saw victory for 16-1 chance Queen Franklin as Liz McNair’s runner always led for a three-quarter length win over Bull Run Byte (Kevin Hutton) in 28.23sec (-20), with favourite Velvet Juliet (Angela Harrison) missing out narrowly in third.

Swindon’s racing manager Clive Oseman said: “We’re really looking forward to what should be a fabulous final and a great night’s racing. It’s a real pleasure to have this event at Swindon.”

Form and draw for Saturday’s final: www.bagsracing.com/assets/14-december—swindon-adv.pdf