Wins for Opal Nalan, Joker Smabo in Class A1 races

The eight trotting races at the Marsa racetrack yesterday were scratch ones and all contested on the 2,140-metre distance. Being a gymkhana meeting, there were no promotions or relegations attached to any of the races.

A number of trotters qualified for their respective classes' Condition Races.

In the first Class A1 race, Fenris looked well on its way to claim victory but midway through the final straight it broke its pace and got disqualified, thus opening the way for Opal Nalan, driven by Charles Camilleri, to shoot into the lead and win.

Second horse in, Newport Hornline, also qualified for the Condition Race along with the winner.

Carmelo Farrugia's Joker Smabo went on to register its second win on the trot after a most comfortable six-length win in the other top class race of the day.

Joker Smabo led all the way ahead of Indigo. The latter was in its second outing at the Marsa racetrack. Indigo also qualified.

Kasmir As, under the control of Shaun Formosa, led for most of the Class A race on its way to victory.

It was the only horse to enter the Condition Race from this class.

Another horse to win handsomely after leading from start to finish was Joseph Scicluna's Gripolis in Class B. It was also the only trotter to qualify from this event.

A dash along the last 150 metres of Class C earned victory for Galassius, driven by Noel Baldacchino. He was the meeting's best driver yesterday with two wins.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Class G, All The World (F. Cassar).
Race 2: Class F, Mr Seagram (C. Magro).
Race 3: Class E, Junior League (N. Baldacchino).
Race 4: Class A1, Opal Nalan (C. Camilleri).
Race 5: Class A, Kasmir As (S. Formosa).
Race 6: Class A1, Joker Smabo (C. Farrugia).
Race 7: Class B, Gripolis (J. Scicluna).
Race 8: Class C, Galassius (N. Baldacchino).