DUNSTALL PARK general manager Chris Black says the track was proud to host a special centenary meeting as the sport celebrated 100 years since the first meeting under rules.

A six-race card at Wolverhampton Racecourse on July 24 mirrored the first meeting on the same day at Belle Vue, Manchester, in 1926 with each race worth £1,926 and others £192.60 – also reflecting the 100 Years On Track anniversary.

The evening’s entertainment had a 1920s theme and various historical artefacts curated by the GBGB were exhibited before a celebratory dinner – GBGB chairman Sir Philip Davies welcomed guests – before the six-race card got under way.

Paul Young and Kevin Hutton both notched doubles.

Young’s Gav Nificent produced a strong-running display to win the opening Arc 100 Years On Track, leading home Annadown Warrior (Maxine Locke) in 28.16sec (-10) for the 480m.

Young would later complete the double as his TV Trophy hero Droopys Rated won the very first race staged over 925m at the track – the JenningsBet 100 Years On Track Marathon – as he led up and streaked clear for a 12 and three-quarter lengths win over Greenwell Gypsy (John Flaherty) in 56.32sec (normal).

The Hutton double was initiated by Venetian Mick in the Entain 100 Years On Track Stayers, making all from the keeping-on Vhagar (Mark Wallis) in 33.39sec (-15) for the 660m trip, and completed by Signet Nayla in the SIS 100 Years On Track British Bred who went clear down the back for a 28.17sec (normal) success for the 480m trip, scoring at the chief expense of Romeo Force (Kelly Hodson).

The other races were won by Maxine Locke’s Turnthemagicon who won the RCPA 100 Years On Track Sprint from Guys and Dolls winner Scooby Diamond (Nathan Hunt) in 15.60sec (-5) for the 270m, before Mark Wallis’s Derby Consolation winner Strike It Skye impressively reeled in Holding Blaze (Richie Taberner) for a head success in the concluding PGR 100 Years On Track in 28.09sec (normal) for the 480m.

Dunstall GM Black said: “It was a cracking night all round and we were proud to be asked by the GBGB to host the evening.

“The sport as a whole has been celebrating the 100-year anniversary throughout the year but the key date was obviously July 24 and to mirror the six races worked really well.

“Thank you to everyone who supported it.”