JET STREAM ANGEL was narrowly quickest of the three semi-final winners as the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks reached a crucial stage at Perry Barr on Saturday.

With just two places in each of the three semis of the bitches’ Classic up for grabs, mistakes would prove costly but Jet Stream Angel came away well in the third semi-final to edge fast-starting Droopys Request into the turn, the pair taking advantage of slow starts from their rivals, including hot favourite Queen Shakira (Liz McNair).

Clear off the second bend, Jet Stream Angel was always in control thereafter with the September 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx, a half-sister of 2021 Irish Derby heroine Susie Sapphire, crossing the line one-and-a-half lengths success from Droopys Request and the staying-on Allowdale Cazoo (Nathan Hunt) in 28.03sec (+10).

A delighted Kevin Hutton, a three-time Oaks-winning trainer, said of Jet Stream Angel: “She’s a beautifully bred bitch who is improving all the time and looks set to make top class.

“We actually fancied her to go well at Towcester in the Empress Stakes but she ripped a nail out in the first round so we kept her for Perry Barr and she’s been superb throughout.

“Unfortunately we’ve the worse draw possible in the final so it’s difficult to see how she gets a run but she’s taken the race ever so well and will improve again given the chance.

“Our first Oaks finalist was owned by Mick Freshwater back in 2012 so it’s great to have another finalist for him all these years later. He’s a great supporter of the game.”

Richard Rees, whose late father Philip and grandfather Phil snr won the Oaks four times between them, will be doubly represented in Saturday’s £20,000 decider after sending out a brilliant one-two in the first semi-final as Starshinestunner finished best to reel in kennelmate Whats Up Eva by a length in 28.08sec (normal).

The latter, the 2022 Brighton Belle champion, showed her customary early pace to lead her field a mercy dance but Starshinestunner, a July 2021 daughter of Magical Bale and Cats Belle, proved the stronger to beat Whats Up Eva and third-placed Ballyhimikin Mel (Barry Denby) in a semi-final which saw the elimination of Irish entry Droopys Mandolin.

However, Robert Gleeson will be represented in the final with Droopys Ailsa looking to become the sixth Irish-trained winner of the English Oaks after finishing second to Carol Weatherall’s No Rush in the second semi.

The winner, a June 2020 daughter of King Elvis and Vahsel Bay, was always on the premises as a show of all-round pace secured a one-and-a-half lengths success over Droopys Ailsa and staying on Antigua Bingo (Nathan Hunt) in 28.05sec (normal).

Trap draw for Saturday’s final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks: 1 Starshinestunner, 2 Whats Up Eva, 3 Droopys Request, 4 Jet Stream Angel, 5 Droopys Ailsa, 6 No Rush (w).