Gagneur Du Brillon steals show

Three SECF finals for French trotters on the 2,140m distance captured the interest of the sizeable crowd that turned out at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday afternoon.

These popular championships also had races to determine other placings, namely from fifth to eighth.

Two of these races were run during Friday's meeting with Gazar Club (Classes C/D/E), driven by Frencu Cassar, and Fanfan James (Classes F/G/H), under the control of France Cutajar, gaining victory.

Gagneur Du Brillon, driven by Noel Baldacchino, looked all set to win comfortably the coveted SECF Classes A1/A/B Championship final.

However, in the last metres, the eventual winner had to go all out to resist the challenge of favourite Faverol. The latter had to settle for second place with Hold Fouteau finishing third.

David Galea's Get Love dominated the consolation race of the Classes A1/A/B event, passing the post seven lengths ahead of the second horse.

Favourite Elan Du Cottage, under the charge of Brian Hili, initiated its attack some 300 metres from the end to clinch the SECF Classes C/D/E Championship. At the post, it had a four-lengths advantage over runner-up Horizon Du Layon which was in turn followed in third place by Fou D'Amour.

The SECF Classes F/G/H Championship went to First Begonia under the control of Salvu Cutajar. Gospel Du Pont and Ed Ham Cazeen were second and third respectively.

The next horse racing meeting will take place on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Class G, 3,140m - Mr Turnpike (J. Scicluna).

Race 2: Classes F/G/H, 2,140m - First Begonia (S. Cutajar).

Race 3: Classes C/D/E, 2,140m - Elan Du Cottage (B. Hili).

Race 4: Class D, 3140m - In De La Cordiere (N. Baldacchino).

Race 5: Classes A1/A/B, 2,140m - Get Love (D. Galea).

Race 6: Classes A1/A/B, 2,140m - Gagneur Du Brillon (N. Baldacchino).

Race 7: Class A, 3,140m - Hatif Des Loges (V. Camilleri).

Race 8: Class B, 3,140m - El Paso S.T.R. (C. Camilleri).