Ashford trainer Rab McNair has highlighted the important role Sittingbourne’s Central Park Stadium has played in the development of his dogs ahead of the weekend’s English Greyhound Derby semi-finals.

McNair, who trains in partnership with wife Elizabeth, runs kennel star King Memphis on Saturday at Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire.

The two-year-old last raced at Central Park in March when finishing runner-up in the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Kent Plate behind kennelmate Queen Joni.

Finishing in the top-three on Saturday will book King Memphis’ spot in the following week’s Derby final - an achievement the McNairs have ticked off three times before with Caulry Fast Trap (2007), Farloe Trent (2014) and Eden The Kid (2015).

Despite three final appearances, the couple have never lifted the Derby trophy but are dreaming of doing so on this occasion for owners KSS Syndicate.

“All our young greyhounds have started their careers at Central Park,” said Rab. “They’re very good to us and we can always trial and bring on the next generation, which is important.

“The improvements made at Central Park in the last year are out of this world, it’s a great track.

“[King] Memphis has really shown his class in the last few weeks. Of course we’re excited, but we’re not getting carried away.”

Kent hasn’t produced a Derby winner since 1988 when Irish-born trainer John McGee guided Hit The Lid to victory at Wimbledon Stadium.

McNair’s hope, though, is unbeaten in the competition’s first four rounds and set a personal best at Towcester in the quarter-finals when stopping the 500m clock at 28.65sec.

He’ll be paraded by Oxfordshire-based Wayne and Liz Mazey - a couple McNair described as invaluable to his race night operation.

“We’ve built a really good relationship with Wayne and Liz,” he said. “They’re very honest and trustworthy people, which you need in greyhound racing.

“They love the greyhounds so much and having them onboard is a huge help. We have a genuine chance this year with King Memphis, it feels different.

“But we won’t be getting carried away, that’s for sure. It’s one step at a time and this weekend’s semi-finals is the next one.”

Meanwhile, greyhound racing returns to Central Park Stadium on Saturday night following last weekend’s Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver, won by Magical Bluebear. Doors open at 5.30pm with the first of 12 races off at 6.37pm.

Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings can be made at centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk/