Joker Smabo wins top event

Yesterday's 45th meeting of the season consisted of 10 races, nine trotting events run on the 2,140m distance, and a qualifying heat from the new flat competition, The Big Ben Interiors Derby, where the top four racers in the 1,250m race qualified to the final.

Finnish 12-year-old trotter Joker Smabo, driven by Charles Magro, grabbed the lead midway though the Gold 2 race but nearly lost first place at the post to Ivory Capella. The latter was disqualified for breaking just on the finishing line and victory was awarded to Joker Smabo. Jarnac Du Moulin and Quick Cape finished second and third respectively.

After pushing Fly Speed into the lead with a lap to go, veteran driver Frencu Cassar preserved his position till the end to claim victory in the Gold 4 race, the second most important event on the card. Borlis Giant was second while Istin came in third.

The Silver 2 race was won by John Briffa's Arragon Crown while newcomer Pajarito Nada, under the guidance of Shaun Formosa, had an excellent debut when winning the Silver 5 race with a strong dash along the final straight.

In the Big Ben Interior Derby qualifier, favourite Managing Director led from the start up to 50 metres from the post where it was surpassed by eventual winner Docklands Brian, under the control of Demis Zammit. Sky Deal and Secondino were the other qualifiers for the final.

The second qualifier of the Big Ben Derby is scheduled for next Sunday. The first race will start at 2 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 6 - Why Chivas (M. Ghigo).

Race 2: Bronze 5 - Dream Rocky (R. Gatt).

Race 3: Bronze 3 - Napoleon Hjo (D. Ellul).

Race 4: The Big Ben Interiors Derby, Heat 1 - Docklands Brian (D. Zammit).

Race 5: HSBC Gold 2 - Joker Smabo (C. Magro).

Race 6: Silver 5 - Pajarito Nada (S. Formosa).

Race 7: HSBC Gold 4 - Fly Speed (F. Cassar).

Race 8: Bronze 4 - Kung Ludvig (M. Fenech).

Race 9: Silver 2 - Arragon Crown (J. Briffa).

Race 10: Bronze 2 - Shido (L. Ghigo).