Looking good was Pop On Tia, a 19-month-old bitch owned and trained by Tina Robinson and Basher Carmichael of Greenmill, Longtown, which won by a length from Stoop, a two-year-old dog from Willie Hyslop of Kilmarnock.
In the next semi-final Macca Tiger from David Bowes of Cleator Moor powered ahead to take the honours by 2.25 lengths from Park Lane, a three-year-old bitch from Tom Clark of Workington.
Winner of the last semi-final was Tic Tac, a three-year-old dog from Dexter Clark of Kirkbride with runner-up, 1.75 lengths behind, Aguero, a four-year-old from Tony Hopper’s Workington kennels.
There is a fairly open field in this Friday night’s final although track tipsters say Stoop may be a dog to watch.
There was a local winner in the final race of the evening, over 470 metres, when Mollie, a two-year-old bitch owned and trained by Keith Geddes at Dumfries, was followed home in a photo-finish by Willie Hyslop’s three-year-old dog Whack.
RESULTS and STARTING PRICES
1st race (7.30) – 1, Shorts, trap 6, price 2/1; 2, Hot Tim, 1, 2/1; distance 3.25 lengths; winning time 17.40 seconds.
2nd (7.45) – 2, Peter, 1, evens fav.; 2, The Scaffolder, 1, 5/4 fav.; 4.5; 17.12.
3rd (8.00) – 1, Hizzy, 1, 2/1; 2, Flash the Cash, 2, 5/2; short head; 17.62.
4th (8.15) – 1, Slump, 4, 2/1; 2, One Coool Cat, 6, 5/2; 1; 17.30.
5th (8.30) – 1, Roman’s Boy, 6, 2/1; 2, Reject, 2, 5/2; 1.25; 17.44.
6th (8.45) – 1, Pop On Tia, 4, 6; 2, Stoop, 3, 2/1; 1; 17.24.
7th (9.00) – 1, Macca Tiger, 5, 5/2; 2, Park Lane, 6, 2/1; 2.25; 17.25.
8th (9.15) – 1, Tic Tac, 6, 3/1; 2, Aguero, 4, 3/1; 1.75; 17.33.
9th (9.30) – 1, Mollie, 3, 3/1; 2, Whack, 6, evens. fav.; short head; 29.17.
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