Mediterranean Derby glory for Managing Director
2,140m record equalled
The last meeting of the year was originally scheduled for December 17 but was postponed to a week later as heavy rain made the racecourse unfit.
But on Christmas Eve the bad weather again played havoc with the programme as after the fourth race a deluge flooded Marsa with the consequence that the meeting was abruptly stopped. The rest of the races took place on Boxing Day in front of a bumper crowd.
The 54th meeting had no fewer than eight trotting finals, all on the 2,140m distance, and the flat racing Mediterranean Derby over 1,750 metres.
The prestigious derby on Sunday was easily won by French runner Managing Director, ridden by Michael Sultana. Pre-race favourite Piroetta failed to exit the starting gates, making it easier for Managing Director to win the derby for the fifth time in succession.
In its third outing at Marsa, In Vitro du Bourg, driven by James Carabott, won the most important race of the splintered meeting, the Premier A final.
Grabbing the lead some 400m away from the post, In Vitro du Bourg crossed the line a clear two lengths ahead of Houston as the more quoted Gilou du Moulin had to settle for third place. In Vitro Du Bourg equalled the 2,140m record of 1'13.7'' per kilometre, previously belonging to the same horse.
After Tuesday's races, Charles Camilleri was declared the season's Champion Driver, Rodney Gatt the Best Apprentice and Fox Waltz the Most Consistent Trotter of the season.
The winners - 54th meeting of the season
Race 1: Silver B final, Prix du Calvados, 2,140m - Keep Haufor (P. Agius).
Race 2: Bronze 2, Prix de Caen, 2,140m - Joliring (J. Debattista).
Race 3: Bronze 1, Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer, 2,140m - Judon Du Cap Vert (C. Clifton).
Race 4: Mediterranean Derby, 1,750m - Managing Director (M. Sultana).
Race 5: Premier B final, Prix de Paris, 2,140m - Hiosco de Davcar (A. Schembri).
Race 6: Gold A final, Prix d'Engien, 2,140m - Heros de Morvil (N. Baldacchino).
Race 7: Premier A final, Prix de Vincennes, 2,140m - In Vitro du Bourg (J. Carabott).
Race 8: Silver A final, Prix de Cabourg, 2,140m - It's My Way (B. Hili).
Race 9: Gold B final, Prix du Val d'Oise, 2,140m - Istin (M. Ellul).