Stag nights, families, form-following punters – everyone is welcome by Sittingbourne Greyhounds. Chris Price tried to pick a few winners and met a few famous faces along the way.

The first thing that strikes you when you arrive at Central Park is the view. Sitting in the restaurant or standing with the punters scurrying on the terraces below, every corner of the 443 metre track is visible.

Then when the traps open, every inch of the stadium sparks into life. “It has one of the best views of any greyhound track,” said bookmaker Gary Wiltshire, better known as ‘the belly from the telly.’ “You go to Wimbledon and you cannot see a thing. You can stand here at Sittingbourne and can watch it anywhere,” added the TV pundit, who can often be seen talking up his tips alongside John Parrott on the BBC. Also a familiar face on Sky’s dog and horse racing coverage, Gary has been coming to Sittingbourne Dogs as a bookie every Thursday for three years. Much like many of the winners tonight, Gary’s story is one of a comeback against the odds and his willingness to chat to punters about his life is a big reason why people come to the races here each week.

Gary was nearly ruined when he lost almost £1 million on Dettori Day, when Frankie Dettori ran seven winners at Ascot back in September 1996. Gary took whatever bets he could thinking it impossible that Frankie could ride an unprecedented seventh winner in one day. He duly did and Gary lost a boatload.

Even though betting debts are not recoverable by law, Gary endeavoured to pay it all back, selling his house, his car and possessions to settle the wagers, before starting back up and making his money all over again.

“It is nice to know that I have made it back,” he said. “I lost £1 million on one race and when I come here and take a £20 bet, it makes me feel I’m still alive.”

Yet sometimes at Sittingbourne, that feeling of being alive seems like it won’t last long. TV is where Gary makes his money now and the drive down from his home in Birmingham to Central Park is more of a night out than a money-making exercise. For the other bookies who do not have as high a profile, the outlook is tough. Tonight, Gary has taken £235 of bets and is down £80 after payouts.

“There will be no fish and chips on the way home tonight” he joked.

That said, the industry is doing its bit to get punters through the door. Much of the crowd tonight are here because Betfred have been driving a Mini around the county drumming up interest and handing out goody bags with a chance to win the car. The Mini is parked, slightly awkwardly, in the centre of the track but it evokes that down-to-earth charm a night at the dogs will always have. It is what keeps Gary coming down every week.

“I just love the game. Tonight is a small meeting to come all the way from Birmingham for but I have been at it all my life. My mate Lofty and I leave at 11am, then have some shellfish at Chummy’s in Folkestone. We make a day of it. The girls who have been giving out goody bags and prizes are exactly what places like this want. We need some new blood in the game. He added: “There are so many shrewd punters here. Most punters on a Saturday just come down to have a drink and put a few bets on. On a Thursday, they are a dying breed who would be here even if there was six feet of snow outside.”

Race days are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne. Thursday admission £4, children £3, Saturdays and Sundays £6.50, children £3. Details on 01795 475547. The Betfred Mini Convertible competition is open until Saturday, June 9. Head into a Betfred shop to enter once a day or get a free bonus entry for spotting one of the seven Betfred Minis on the TV screens showing race meetings around the country. Enter by staking £3 on their bet of the day. Entrants must be 18 or over. Details at www.betfred.com.