Drabant Are back to winning ways

Drabant Are, a leading trotter last season, returned to winning form yesterday after crossing the finishing line first in the Class A1 race at the Marsa racetrack.

This top class race was the main one on the card which included seven other trotting races, all on the 2,140-metre distance, and a flat race. This was the seventh one on the programme. It was 1,250 metres long.

Gordon Swing was the first trotter to grab the lead in the top trotting race but this horse was soon overtaken by newcomer Elegant du Corta. The latter looked on its way to register its first win at Marsa but was pipped to the post by Drabant Are, driven by Charlie Farrugia. Eric D. Gelt was a close third.

A dash along the last 150 metres enabled Noel Baldacchino's Echo du Scion to win the first of the two Class A races yesterday and promotion to Class A1.

In the other Class A race, Salvu Vella's Bulls Eye had a happy debut, passing the finishing line first after taking the lead some 300 metres away from the post.

Managing Director, with jockey John Farrugia in its saddle, won the flat race. It took the lead from Vasari 400 metres from home. Mil Mar finished second, three lengths behind the winner. Manoir Dore was third.

Charlie Camilleri was best driver yesterday with two wins. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1 (Class D) - Fort de Val (C. Camilleri).
Race 2 (Class C) - Mach Hermes (F. Portelli).
Race 3 (Class B) - El Amor (C. Camilleri).
Race 4 (Class A) - Echo du Scion (N. Baldacchino).
Race 5 (Class A1) - Drabant Are (C. Farrugia).
Race 6 (Class C) - Sword Fish (C. Magro).
Race 7 (flat) - Managing Director (J. Farrugia).
Race 8 (Class A) - Bulls Eye (S. Vella).
Race 9 (Class B) - Esard (J. Bartolo).