He was said to have been quietly confident about ‘It’s A Ticket’s’ form despite the two-year-old only booking a place in the final as a runner-up in his heat the previous week.
The 5/2 shot had been dubbed a hot bet by track tipster Becks and fully lived up to those expectations securing the lead at the second bend and taking the honours by almost a length.
Next home was three-year-old Rab’s Girl, another favourite, owned and trained by Davie Studholm of Abbeytown.
One of the most convincing victories of the evening came from Cara, a two-year-old bitch from Murray Aitken of Dumfries.
She stormed home in a sprint trip a staggering 11.75 lengths in front of the strongest challenger Snowie Dream, a two-year-old bitch from the Rickerby kennels at Workington.
RESULTS and STARTING PRICES
First race (7.30) – 1, K. C. Dream, trap 2, price 5/2; 2, Fat Man, 5, 6/4; distance 3.5 lengths; winning time 17.76 seconds.
Second (7.45) – 1, Rosemary, 3, 6/4; 2, Jag, 1, 5/2; 4; 17.86.
Third (8.00) – 1, Cara, 1, 5/4; 2, Snowie Dream, 2, 5/4; 11.75; 17.71.
Fourth (8.15) – 1, Mister Costa, 3, 6/4; 2, Maisie Moo, 4, 5/2; 1; 17.88.
Fifth (8.30) – 1, Clifton Lodge, 4, EVENSFav.; 2, Trap Master, 1, 5/2; short head; 17.88.
Sixth (8.45) – race cancelled.
Seventh (9.00) – void race (no re-run).
Eighth (9.15) – 470 metres Spring Handicap final – 1, It’s A Ticket, 3, 5/2; 2, Rab’s Girl, 5, 4/5; .75; 30.14.
HOT TIP . . . winning Spring Handicap final owner-trainer Maurice Lawman proudly displays the trophy he won with his greyhound It’s A Ticket
PICTURE: CRAIG NORMAN
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