Hollyfield makes it two in a row

Yesterday's 20th meeting of the season at the Marsa racetrack included nine trotting scratch events. Except for the Class A1 race, on the shorter 1,640-metre distance, the other races on the card were run on 2,140 metres.

Veteran driver George Schembri showed his class yesterday by winning three races.

Hollyfield, driven by Vestru Farrugia, had no trouble in winning the Class A1 race after leading all the way home to victory for its second successive win.

Hollyfield's win was made easier when nearest rival, Mr Dignity, broke pace and was disqualified in the final metres. Second place was eventually awarded to Figaro Speed, ahead of Bismarque. The winner registered an average speed of 1:14.8.

In this race, El Kaski had an unfortunate start in Maltese trotting when 400m from the post it was involved in a collision with another horse throwing driver John Briffa off his seat. Luckily, he escaped unhurt.

There was a dramatic finish in Class A, the second event in importance on the card. Dana Frontline raced to an immediate lead but then lost its position to First De Vendee. The latter looked cruising towards victory but midway through the final straight Dana Frontline, driven by Chris Vassallo, made a remarkable recovery to surprise the front horse and pip it to the post.

Hast Pont Vautier looked set to win Class B but in the final metres it could not resist the strong attacks of Brian Zammit's Henning which went on to clinch first place.

Schembri's Fou D'Amour increased its pace considerably a lap from the finishing line of the opening Class C race to go on and win by two lengths. The same driver then conducted Elan Du Cottage towards another comfortable victory in the other Class C race after going into the lead some 300m away from the post.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Class F - Eperon De Ranville (C. Clifton).

Race 2: Class E - Rambo Aspen (C. Camilleri).

Race 3: Class E - Sir Blou (G. Schembri).

Race 4: Class C - Fou D'Amour (G. Schembri).

Race 5: Class A1 - Hollyfield (V. Farrugia).

Race 6: Class B - Henning (B. Zammit).

Race 7: Class A - Dana Frontline (C. Vassallo).

Race 8: Class C - Elan Du Cottage (G. Schembri).

Race 9: Class D - Idol Gelj (N. Baldacchino).