AVONGATE VENUS has the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr next month as her next major target after completing an unbeaten run through the Bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester.

The January 2022 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring completed an incredible nine-timer in the £10,000 decider at the Northamptonshire venue to kick-start a cracking few days for the Doncaster handler in a week in which the kennel also had a finalist, Keefill Goose, in the BGBF Produce Stakes final at Swindon.

Lining up as hot favourite to win the Category One event at Towcester after equalling the track record in the semi-finals seven days previously, Avongate Venus again trapped well and paced up outside into the lead from fast-starting New Destiny (Mark Wallis), after which she was on her way to glory in the bitches’ showpiece.

Clear down the back and not stopping, Avongate Venus stretched her field out behind with Droopys Eunice (Maxine Locke) now leading the chase after New Destiny was crowded out. The staying-on Icemans Girl (Nathan Hunt) came through late to claim second, albeit one and three-quarter lengths behind the fast 28.66sec (normal) winner.

Winning trainer Milner was delighted with the performance of the Sean O’Connor-owned runner as he became another in a long list of trainers to have won their first Category One competitions in 2024.

“She was so good in the semi-finals, it’s at the back of your mind whether she’s peaked too soon, albeit we knew she hadn’t!” he said. “She was bouncing at home coming out of her races very well. A few people commented whether she’d peaked too early as that semi-final run was something else, but honestly she trains herself, doesn’t like any fuss, and we just keep her happy and let her do the rest. She’s a remarkable bitch – even after the final she came out of the van fresh.

“Once again I’ve got to give huge credit to Keeley (Cunningham, partner and assistant) and her dad who do most things at home when I’m not around for work reasons – and to Chloe (Waite) who’s Sean’s (O’Connor, owner) granddaughter.

“You could see how much it meant to Sean and I’m particularly delighted for him – a proper dog man who I’ve know from flapping days. I know he won’t forget that day in a hurry!

“Huge thanks to the sponsors (Bet365) and Towcester. The coverage of the whole competition was great and, being our fourth runner in a Category One final, it’s just massive for us to win one.

“However, it wouldn’t have been possible without all the support from everyone along the way – the suppliers who helped us when setting up and other trainers at the end of the phone for silly questions.

“There are so many people that make a kennel work – it’s not just the few handling the dogs themselves.

“It means so much to be competing at this level. We set out with a dream, knowing there can be plenty of lows in this sport, which we’ve had, so to have this high is humbling and a great feeling for Keeley and I.”