Mare Piroetta first in Big Ben Derby

The Big Ben Interiors Derby final took pride of place in yesterday's 50th meeting of the season at the Marsa Racetrack in front of one of the biggest crowds this year. Also on the card, was a B Final for Derby runners that were eliminated in the semi-finals earlier this month.

The rest of the programme was made up of seven trotting scratch events, all on the rather long 2,640 metres, including the HSBC Premier Class. For the record, Charles Camilleri was top driver of the afternoon with four wins.

Piroetta, coming from a win, went straight into the lead in the Derby final. The mare was continually challenged by the rest of the field along the 1,250m distance, particularly Docklands Brian near the finishing line. The photo-finish had to determine which horse was first.

The verdict went in favour of Piroetta, yesterday under the charge of Oliver Briffa. Docklands Brian had to settle for second place followed by favourite Managing Director in third place. The winner covered the distance in 1'13.7''.

Maltese-born runner, Swing Dancer, under the charge of Matthew Mallia, won the B Final by three lengths after initiating its final attack some 300m from the post.

Black Metal was second and Stell Art third.

The Premier Class race was exciting from start to finish. At the very end no fewer than five trotters battled it out for the honours.

First place eventually went to newcomer to Maltese trotting Pilot Kloster, driven by Camilleri.

Pilot Kloster clocked an impressive time for local racing, covering the 2,640m distance at an average speed of 1'15.2'' per kilometre. Favourite Puck Daro and Ilik De Baconval were second and third respectively.

In the Gold 4 race, Sam Cassar got the best out of Hewillbeawinner along the final straight to grab first place after overcoming three other trotters in the very last few metres.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 6, 2,640m, Gubben Karsk (C. Camilleri).

Race 2: Bronze 3, 2,640m, El Paso STR (C. Camilleri).

Race 3: Bronze 1, 2,640m, Circus Flip (N. Baldacchino).

Race 4: Big Ben Interiors B Final, 1,250m, Swing Dancer (M. Mallia).

Race 5: Silver 1, 2,640m, Light A Candle (C. Refalo).

Race 6: HSBC Premier, 2,640m, Pilot Kloster (C. Camilleri).

Race 7: Big Ben Interiors A Final, 1,250m, Piroetta (O. Briffa).

Race 8: HSBC Gold 4, 2,640m, Hewillbeawinner (S. Cassar).

Race 9: Silver 5, 2,640m, Excelsior D.K. (C. Camilleri).