The GRA have appointed Maureen Ridley (pictured) as their new general manager at Oxford Stadium.

She is believed to be only the second female to take charge of a track in the UK.

Ridley succeeds Stephen Rawle who left the Stadium in August.

A native of Blyth in Northumberland, Ridley has been head of human resources at Cowley for the last two years following 23 years in the retail industry.

She has been overseeing the GM duties since the vacancy occurred.

Married to Gordon, who, incidentally supervises the quiz nights at the Stadium, they have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Ridley said: "I aim to increase business and customer service to a standard of excellence.

"Controlling operating costs is a priority without affecting the excellent value already attained."

Oxford-based trainer Richard Baker, who operates at Coventry, pulled off an amazing feat at Hall Green recently with Feel Free in the Produce Stakes.

The unfancied runner flew in landing his owner a superb £17,000.

Meanwhile, another hound, Carrowkeal Ogie, landed his 26th success after running in his 176th race at the Stadium on Wednesday.

Ian Wills continues to dominate the 2007 Trainers Championship after sending out 29 winners last month.

He extended his lead over his main rival and current champion Paddy Curtin to 33 with two months to go.

Other October winners: Paddy Curtin 26, Gilly Hepden 24, Michael Peterson 23, Gloria Stringer 23, Maurice Massey 21, Angie Kibble 19, Johnny Mayo 18, Ron Bicknell 17, Terry Kibble 17, Terry Atkins 15, Paul Clarke 12, Tony Magnasco 12, Robert Hannan 10.

Overall standings: Wills 260, Curtin 230, A Kibble 213, Bicknell 194, T Kibble 183, Magnasco 170, Peterson 167, Massey 154, Hepden 154, Stringer 141, Hannan 131, Clarke 70.

Top trap was trap four with 49 winners just edging out thee and six on 47.

The rest were (1) 37, (2) 42, (5) 43.

Oxford's clerk of the course Paul Saxton's innovative idea of packing the channel that carries the hare wire with wood, gained plenty of support at Monday's track seminar at the Stadium.

Under the current system, the channel fills with water during heavy rain, which causes the hare wire to slip and plenty of delays.

This is a problem that affects most tracks.

Now, however, Saxton may have the answer.

Racing manager Gary Baiden's book on Oxford Stadium from 1939 onwards is coming along nicely.

He recently met up with Jack Tanner who actually worked for the Stadium in 1939, and former RM in the sixties Bill Field.

An apology is in order for Ian Pattinson, sponsor of next year's Trafalgar Cup.

He was originally referred to as Ian Patterson.