Grover IT wins top class race

The 2005 horse racing season got underway yesterday at the Marsa track with the first winter meeting comprising eight trotting events.

Except for the Class H race that was a handicap event on the 2,160m distance, the rest were scratch ones run on 2,140 metres.

In front of quite a large crowd, all the races were held despite the continuous rain rendering the track somewhat heavy. Noel Baldacchino was the meeting's best driver with two victories.

Class A1 developed into an exciting finish involving no fewer than five trotters. After snatching the lead 400m from the post, Baldacchino's Grover IT looked set to clinch an easy win but in the final metres, it was boldly challenged by Kasmir As. Grover IT withstood Kasmir As's late attack to hold on to victory. Heros De Smarves remained ahead of Internet to land third place.

X Ray Goy, driven by Darren Mizzi, took the lead from Gaubrio at the entrance to the final straight of Class A and was three lengths ahead of the runner-up at the post. The winner gained promotion to Class A1.

Bellwood, driven by Charles Camilleri, had to go all out to take honours in Class B when attacked in the last metres by second horse in Classico. This winner also clinched promotion to Class A.

The photo finish had to be consulted when RMC Mystic and L'Ocean looked to have crossed the finish line together in Class C, after the former had led by a substantial margin halfway through the last 150 metres. The verdict went in favour of Baldacchino's L'Ocean.

A tussle along the last 150 metres of the Class D event between Willpower HH and Forban ended in victory for the former, under the control of Joseph Scicluna.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.

Yesterday's winners at Marsa...

Race 1: Class H - All The World (F. Cassar).
Race 2: Class F - Bombardemang (C. Degiorgio).
Race 3: Class E - JR Grabba (C. Refalo).
Race 4: Class D - Willpower HH (J. Scicluna).
Race 5: Class A1 - Grover IT (N. Baldacchino).
Race 6: Class B - Bellwood (C. Camilleri).
Race 7: Class A - X Ray Goy (D. Mizzi).
Race 8: Class C - L'Ocean (N. Baldacchino).