Staying great Palawa King makes his long-awaited return to racing at Dubbo on Saturday night in a 605m Middle Distance Series event.

The son of Feral Franky and Maximum Dos has not raced since September 14 last year and he has been battling a hip support injury. Trainer Jack Smith admitted today all he wants is for the dog to "run a race".

Palawa King, winner of 31 of his 74 starts for stakes of $1.1 million, comes up against a tough field of middle distance gallopers including kennelmates Midnight Money and Red Hot Frankie.

"He is not really a trial dog, so it is hard to get a good guide on him," Smith said.

"But, he is as well as he can be and pulling up fine after his trials. I'd just like to see him run a race on Saturday night, finishing on well."

Palawa King is the multiple Group 1 winner of the Bold Trease, Queensland Cup, National Distance, Fanta Bale, and the Association Cup.

He has won, been placed or a finalist in a host of other glamour distance events also.

Smith admits he wants to see how Palawa King comes back to racing before committing to any future big race plans.

"Dubbo is not really his track, even though it is his home track," Smith said. "We could look at the Country Classic with him."

Palawa King finished second in last year's Country Classic behind Bella Una.

The $100,000 to the winner final will be run at Dubbo on March 22.

"I admit, at this stage he is a week-to-week proposition, Smith added. "But, he wants to race, still wants to do everything a race dog does. It's a good sign. But we are the first to say he owes us nothing."

Palawa King is among the finalists for the 2024 NSW Greyhound of the Year. He won the award the previous year and was also named Australian Greyhound of the Year.