Champion trainer Mark Wallis won a fourth Category One title in two years at Central Park on Saturday night when star sprinter Ballinakill Liam scooped the ARC Kent Silver Salver.
The son of Coolavanny Hoffa sprung a surprise when going one better than last year’s runner-up effort after an electric start which paved the way to victory, with kennel mate Pavilion Team closely behind in second.
It continued Wallis’ strong run of form at the Sittingbourne track, with Garfiney Blaze, Proper Heiress and Mongys Wild all delivering trophies for the Suffolk kennel since January last year.
Odds-on favourite Shadow Storm – who was unbeaten in the competition building up to the final – finished third, while Nightingale Crew, Headford Cian and Hackney Toast filled the minor placings.
Reasonable chance
A delighted Wallis said after the race: “I was pleased to see him come out of the traps the way he did.
“I thought he had a reasonable chance, he was second in this race last year and ran very well behind Kevin Hutton’s Rioja Oisin on that day.
“We came into this off the back of an injury and he’s improved for each run. Sometimes when they’ve been off for a while, you expect it to take two or three runs to get back to their best and I think we saw that.
“He had to be at his best too as it was a good final, and we’re pleased to see Pavilion Team run a blinder to finish second. Central Park has been a lucky track for us.
“If he stays sound, we’ll target the Scurry at Dunstall Park and then the National Sprint at Nottingham.
“Sprinters can peak aged three and four, so hopefully we can look forward to those.”
Central Park celebrations
The fixture took place ahead of Central Park’s celebrations to mark greyhound racing’s centenary in the UK.
Almost 100 years have passed since 1,700 racegoers turned out to watch Mistley win the first race at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester on July 24, 1926.
And to mark the occasion, the Sittingbourne track has slashed the cost of its three-course meal restaurant package to £19.26 per person for every Saturday night in July.
Dovile Skapciute, General Manager at Central Park Stadium, said: “Greyhound racing is in a strong place in Sittingbourne.
“July will be a special month for the sport as we celebrate its centenary in the UK.
“It’s a true sign of achievement, purpose and enduring accomplishment for any pursuit. We’re looking forward to welcoming plenty of faces – old and new – trackside to mark the centenary month.”
Tickets and Central Park’s full fixture list for July can be viewed online via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
Racing takes place every Saturday night, with the first race off at 5.30pm.
