Maxine Locke’s quest to become the first female winner of the GBGB’s Trainer of the Year title since 2002 could be strengthened at Central Park Stadium.
The Sittingbourne track hosts its most prestigious competition of the year – the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby – this month with £20,000 available to winning connections.
Less than six months after attaching her kennel to Central Park, the Wickford trainer sits 161 points clear at the top of the Trainer of the Year standings with 13 Category One competitions left to race for.
Maxine has assembled a team of four for this year’s Kent Derby, spearheaded by Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic champion Annadown Warrior with dual Category One finalist Headford Cian, Mystical Batman and Ballymac Blanco also confirmed.
But with nine of the 36 entries priced 14-1 or lower to win the competition, Maxine is under no illusions that this year’s Kent Derby is one of the most competitive ever.
“This year’s Kent Derby is a seriously strong competition,” said Maxine.
“Annadown Warrior steps up into his first all-age competition, so he can’t afford to make any mistakes really.
“He’s in great form. He flew around in an open race a fortnight ago so we’re just hoping he qualifies and reaches the first bend in front on Saturday.
“Headford Cian has done the kennel proud recently by qualifying for two Category One finals.
“Mystical Batman has a tough draw and Ballymac Blanco thrives from trap one so they will need to be on their a-game on Saturday.”
Only two women have won the Trainer of the Year title since its inception in 1961 – the late Linda Mullins (1996-2000) and Linda Jones (2001-2002).
The standings work by allocating points to trainers based on open race and competition success, with the winner of each Category One final allocated 50 points.
With second placed Paul Young entering four greyhounds – Ballymac Charbel, Underground Gold, Ballymac Stud and JimmyJimmyJimmy – and 16-times champion Mark Wallis running Forgottotellya and Proper Heiress, Maxine said the outcome of this year’s title is far from over.
Maxine added: “It’s far from a forgone conclusion.
“To win the Trainer of the Year title would be amazing, but there are plenty more Category One competitions on the calendar and both Paul Young and Mark Wallis have some strong greyhounds in their kennels.
“Every open race counts, and every major final is important.”
Other entries of note include Kent Plate champion Scooby The Lady, 2025 Irish Greyhound Derby finalist Proper Heiress, defending champion Romeo Tomcat plus Puppy Derby champion Underground Gold.
Tickets for the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby heats at Central Park Stadium on Saturday night are available online via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk. Doors open at 4.30pm, with the first race off an hour later.
The track will run its final complimentary admission race night of the year to all racegoers on finals night on Saturday, October 17. Free admission tickets can be claimed online.
Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby draw
Heat One: Ballymac Charbel, Headford Toby, Hackney Toast, Droopys Topnotch, Burrows Titan, Watcha GotCookin.
Heat Two: Havana Jetstream, Hansford Hero, Ballymac Blanco, Brunch Pal, Poppadom Tom, Texas Jack.
Heat Three: Foxwood Zach, Underground Gold, Scooby The Lady, Ever So Cheerio, Mystical Batman, Burrows Aries.
Heat Four: Burrows Charm, Scooby Mustang, Zenith Eze, Catch My Girl, Headford Cian, Ballymac Stud.
Heat Five: Swift Youth, Annadown Warrior, Forgottotellya, Burgess Sailor, Insane Gee Two, Fastlane Blu.
Heat Six: King Floyd, JimmyJimmyJimmy, Foxwood Christy, Proper Heiress, Romeo Tomcat, Droopys Deploy.
