WHILE local punters will miss out on their regular meeting at Dawson Park today, they will be treated to a bumper evening of racing during a rare twilight meeting at Dubbo on Saturday.
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The recent upgrade of the lights down the home straight of the track means Dawson Park is now far more capable of holding races after sunset and Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff believes it's an exciting opportunity for the club.
"The first race will be at 5.30pm and it's the first twilight meeting in a very long time, especially a twilight TAB meeting," he said.
"It should be good and will be something different, it's been mainly Thursday meetings here but hopefully this gives some people who work all week the chance to get out there."
The different timeslot also means the track is able to attract trainers who don't regularly attend Dawson Park meetings, making for a quality night of racing.
"It means we can get them here and that makes a difference and the new lights down the home straight mean we'll hopefully be able to get a few more night meetings now," Stiff said.
"It's about making the track more versatile and making it able to do more."
The fifth race of the night, the Sires On Ice Stakes (318m), is shaping as one of the main races to watch with two of Dawson Park's regular trainers going head-to-head.
Dubbo-based Peter Dutton and his experienced bitch Exquissette Kari will line up in box seven but will face a stern test going up against Pure Arrogance, trained by Len Haaring.
"They're well boxed and it looks like a race between those two. Pure Arrogance hasn't had much luck lately but Exquissette Kari is going for her 18th win from 71 starts and looks hard to beat," Stiff said.
The Dubbo RSL Events Centre Stakes will also hold some interest for those in attendance with it being contested over 605m.
After winning over the same distance at Dawson Park last Thursday, the Colin Williams-trained Olli Charlyn looks set to start as favourite.
"She won in 35.86 last week and will start from box six again, she looks hard to beat," Stiff said.
"The longer distance is a bit of a better spectacle as it goes close to 36 seconds and it's always good."
Trainers from the small Riverina town of The Rock, Brian and Joanne Smith, will also be at Dawson Park and will be keen to make the long trip a winning one.
"There's a 516m Mixed race and they've made the trip and have got Apidra's Double in that," Stiff said.
"Her runs have been good. She's been looking to get over 500m."