Start of championships for French trotters

Eight of the nine all-trotting events on yesterday's card were in connection with championship heats from Gold and Silver classes reserved only for French trotters on the 2,140m distance.

The other race was an HSBC Gold 2 Class run over the rather long 2,640 metres. Noel Baldacchino was the meeting's best driver with three wins.

A duel between Illico de Reville (Peter Agius) and Faverol along the final straight ended with the former reaching the post first in the opening heat.

Heros de Morvil, driven by Baldacchino, had no trouble winning the second heat by no fewer than five lengths.

Hermes D'Haufor (Andrew Pace) registered its second win on the trot in Heat 3 after going ahead midway through the final straight.

A final tussle between four trotters ended in Ison des Joncs (Charlò Debono) getting first place in the last heat of the Prix D'Enghien.

The opening heat of the Prix De Cabourg went to the mare Julie du Loisir (David Ellul) thanks to a dash along the last 100m.

Gagneur de Brillon, led by Baldacchino, had to go all out to win the following heat after being challenged towards the end by Ksar. The latter finished second.

In the third heat, Agius steered Keep Haufor to an easy two-length victory.

Hobby de Baune (Baldacchino) was the winner of the fourth heat. It went into the lead a lap from the end.

Grover IT looked set to win the only HSBC event on the card, the Gold 2, but it was pipped at the post by Royal Mic (Etienne Mallia). It was this winner's seventh seasonal victory.

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

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Prix de Cabourg Silver Heat 1 - Julie du Loisir (D. Ellul).

Race 2: Prix D'Enghien Gold - Illico de Reville (P. Agius).

Race 3: Prix de Cabourg Silver Heat 2 - Gagneur de Brillon (N. Baldacchino).

Race 4: Prix D'Enghien Gold Heat 2 - Heros de Morvil (N. Baldacchino).

Race 5: Prix de Cabourg Silver Heat 3 - Keep Haufor (P. Agius).

Race 6: HSBC Gold 2 Class - Royal Mic (E. Mallia).

Race 7: Prix D'Enghien Gold Heat 3 - Hermes D'Haufor (A. Pace).

Race 8: Prix de Cabourg Silver Heat 4 - Hobby de Baune (N. Baldacchino).

Race 9: Prix D'Enghien Gold Heat 4 - Ison des Joncs (C. Debono).