Rob Hyslop’s Hawick-based entry Zsa Zsa looked impressive leading as favourite from the first bend to win the 8.30 trip by 1.25 lengths.
The three-year-old bitch was followed home by Ruth, a three-year-old bitch from Jim Henderson from Dalkeith.
Cumbrian greyhounds were to the fore in the next heat.
There was a runaway victory for Wiggy’s Black from the Wiggins kennel at Kirkbride which powered home to win by 4.5 lengths from Workington-based challenger Unlock.
There was a battle between two regular Gretna trainers in the final heat with Tom Clark’s One Cool Cat, a three-year-old dog, finishing three lengths ahead of Tony Hopper’s two-year-old bitch Flaming Jill.
The line-up for the Easter Handicap Final, Friday night’s main feature race, will be Ruth, trap 1; Unlock, 2; Zsa Zsa, 3; Flaming Jill, 4; Wiggy’s Black 5; One Cool Cat 6.
RESULTS and STARTING PRICES
First race (7.30) – 1, Night Shift, trap 2, price 5/2; 2, Billy Blister, 6, 5/4; distance a head; winning time 17.49 seconds.
Second (7.45) – 1, Yazoo, 3, 6/4; 2, Mo’s Little Man, 2, 6/4; 1; 17.67.
Third (8.00) – 1, Trap master, 3, 5/4; 2, Miss Dee, 1, 5/4; 2.25; 17.31.
Fourth (8.00) – 1, Ballydoyle, 5, 5/4; 2, Macca Black, 3, 2/1; 4.5; 17.67.
Fifth (8.15) – 1, Lonagan, 4, 4/5; 2, Parklane, 1, 6/4; 4.5; 17.05.
Sixth (8.30) – 1, Zsa Zsa, 3, evens fav.; 2, Ruth, 2, 5/2; 1.25; 17.36.
Seventh (8.45) – 1, Wiggy’s Black, 5, 7/2; 2, Unlock, 2, 5/2; 4.5; 17.42.
Eighth (9.00) – 1, One Cool Cat, 6, 5/2; 2, Flaming Jill, 4, 3/1; 3; 17.13.
Ninth (9.15) – 1, Flaming Katie, 1, 5/4; 2, Barbie, 2, 5/4; 2; 29.64.
SPORTSDESK: 01461-202417
