CENTRAL PARK is counting down to the final of the UK’s only Category One sprint competition on Saturday with the Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver the highlight of a cracking card at the Sittingbourne venue.

A first prize of £12,500 awaits the winner of the 277m annual, won last year by the late Bill Russell-trained Magical Bluebear who went on to become GBGB Sprinter of the Year for 2024 at the GBGB Awards earlier this year.

Fastest in the semi-finals on Saturday was King Presley as the track record holder for Central Park’s sprint trip roared back to winning ways.

Completing a double for local trainer Liz McNair, King Presley raced to a 16.22sec (-15) victory in the second semi-final as he trapped well and made all to lead home Ballinakill Liam by a length and a quarter.

The latter, who had been on an impressive winning sequence, edged out Harlequin Ernie (Luke Morrison) for his place in the weekend’s showpiece.

King Jackson raced away for a comfortable success in the first semi for the McNair kennel, their strong-running sprinter soon pacing up in command and leading home Rioja Oisin (Kevin Hutton) by three lengths in 16.29sec (-15).

Beaming Isla landed a 10-1 surprise in the third semi-final, albeit there was nothing lucky about the performance of the Maxine Locke-trained Sept 22 daughter of Doolin Duke who will line up as the sole bitch in the decider.

Pacing up well inside, the Romford runner was never headed as she crossed the line a length clear of Pavilion Team, the 6-5 favourite.

Mark Wallis, trainer of the latter, is looking to land a second Kent Silver Salver after Clondoty Alex’s success in 2017 and is delighted to match Liz McNair’s feat in qualifying two finalists.

“It’s always fine margins in sprints and neither of ours came away well enough in the semis, but showed plenty of class to qualify behind Liz’s runners.

“Both are in good shape. We seem to have got over the worse of the cough – Mongys Wild will be back soon.

“Liam had been running really well to go six in a row, never easy in sprints, and has just developed consistency after being quite hit or miss as a young dog.

“Pavilion Team is also firing again now. He was in a great form earlier this year, getting to the Northamptonshire Sprint final at Towcester, but seems back to that sort of form now.

“It’s a good final and we’re looking forward to it.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver Final: 1 Beaming Isla, 2 Rioja Oisin (m), 3 Pavilion Team (m), 4 King Jackson (m), 5 King Presley (w), 6 Ballinakill Liam (w).