Category 1 greyhound racing returns to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne tonight (Saturday) when the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate begins.

Of the 35 greyhounds entered in the £12,500 competition, 12 are based locally for trainers Tony Collett, Elizabeth McNair, Luke Morrison, David Puddy and Paul Donovan.

The latter is represented by two kennel stars - Asbo Lenny and Mind The Ball, who run in heats four and five.

Three-year-old Asbo Lenny is no stranger to the limelight at the Church Road venue. He qualified for the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby final in October and has won eight open races - the top level of UK greyhound racing - during his career.

Mind The Ball, meanwhile, is a relatively new addition to Donovan’s kennel having made his track debut in January where he has since won three races.

Both greyhounds must place in the first three of their respective races to advance to the following week’s Semi-Finals, with the same format in place ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, March 30.

Central Park trainer Donovan said: “It’s always exciting having runners in Category 1 competitions, especially at your local track.

“Asbo Lenny has been a wonderful greyhound for us. He’s very consistent and has a great draw in trap one for his opening-round heat. It’s a hot race with Kent Derby winner Churchfield Syd drawn on the outside and Winter Derby Finalist King Capaldi in trap two, but we’re hoping home knowledge can count.

“Mind The Ball hasn’t been with us for too long, but he’s won a nice maiden race and an A1. He’s improving for every run and has half a chance for the Four Boys Syndicate who are really enthusiastic owners and always turn out to support their greyhounds.

“We’ll take a chance and hope to progress to the Semi-Finals, just like everyone else!”

Last year’s competition was won by Ashford-based Elizabeth McNair, whose FromPostToPillar stormed to a sensational eight-and-a-half length victory despite making a poor start.

The McNair kennel are represented by six greyhounds this year - Queen Shakira, Queen Joni, Kings Sydney, King Capaldi, Queen Georgia and King Memphis. Other Kent runners include Puddy’s Barnora Blazer and Barnora Kelly, Morrison’s Twist of Cain and Collett’s Lostrigg Joel.

Tickets for round one of the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate are available to purchase online via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk or on the door. Racing begins at 6.38pm with the first Kent Plate qualifier off at 7.49pm.

Runners: Heat 1: De Pan Handler, Droopys Reserve, Lostrigg Joel, Queen Shakira, Bet Shop Boy, Clairkeith Santi; Heat 2: Ballymac John, Queen Joni, Droopys Croker, Drive On Lad, Rioja Woody, Twist of Cain; Heat 3: Kings Sydney, Druids All Go, Edwards, Slick Sabo, Stonepark Champ, Vacant; Heat 4: Asbo Lenny, King Capaldi, Clairekeith Remy, Newinn Deejay, Droopys Doughnut, Churchfield Syd; Heat 5: Queen Georgia, Whyaye Man, Mind The Ball, Barnora Blaze, Miracle, Barnora Kelly; Heat 6: King Memphis, Cooliogold, Singalong Stacey, Jamies Boy, Uncle Freddie, Ashwood Bocko.