Managing Director dashes home to third derby

Yesterday's meeting brought to a close the 2004 season. The card included the final of the prestigious Mediterranean Derby thanks to which flat runners had their day as normally trotting races steal most of the limelight at the racetrack.

The Derby was run over 1,750 metres. The rest of the card was made up of seven scratch races, all on the 2,640-metre distance, and a handicap race that was 20m longer.

As was the case on Saturday, it was again a Cup Day meaning there were no promotions or relegations attached to any of the races. Charles Degiorgio and Chris Vassallo were the meeting's best drivers with two wins each.

Top favourite Managing Director, ridden by Gozitan Omar Cauchi, won the Mediterranean Derby.

It was the third consecutive time for this favourite horse to land the coveted trophy.

Managing Director shot into the lead some 300m away from the post. It held on to its terrific pace and won easily by three lengths over Docklands Brian. Maggies Choice was third. The winner clocked 1'48.7'' for the distance.

In the Class A1 handicap race it was Friday which grabbed an immediate lead but was soon overtaken by newcomer Andy Garcia.

Friday, however, made a quick recovery to regain first position. In the final straight it started to lose ground though and opened the way for other horses, including Chris Vassallo's Newport Hornline, to charge to victory.

At the post, Newport Hornline clinched victory ahead of Simb Moonwalker and One For The Moon.

The top class scratch race was interesting from start to finish.

Opal Nalan went straight into the lead but not long after it had to surrender first position to Hold Fouteau. The latter, although leading for quite a long part of the distance, was unable to keep the pace up to the end.

Opal Nalan started to make a strong recovery and at the end it was this horse and Hollyfield which battled it out for victory clinched by the former, driven by Charles Camilleri. This was Opal Nalan's second win on the trot.

Class A had the most exciting finish of the day, involving no fewer than five trotters which dashed nearly in one line towards the post. The finishing line was reached first by Degiorgio's Ilex Gardne, just beating Conrads Windrew by a head.

After leading for most of the Class B race, Lilly Ru was pipped to the post by Rikk Chop, under the control of Vassallo.

There will be no racing events during the Christmas holidays. The new season starts on January 16.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Class G - Reset (V. Meli).
Race 2: Class F - Buckingham I.T. (C. Degiorgio).
Race 3: Class D - Sailor Boy (N. Baldacchino).
Race 4: Class A1 - Newport Hornline (C. Vassallo).
Race 5: Mediterranean Derby, Classes I/II - Managing Director (O. Cauchi).
Race 6: Class A1 - Opal Nalan (C. Camilleri).
Race 7: Class A - Ilex Garden (C. Degiorgio).
Race 8: Class B - Rikk Chop (C. Vassallo).
Race 9: Class C - Cyrus Bonbeth (S. Vella).

Season's honours

Most consistent horse: Real King.
Champion driver: Charles Camilleri.
Best apprentice driver: Sam Cassar.