Shoguns Bonus leads from start to finish in Premier Class

The Premier Class race was the main attraction on the card of yesterday's eighth Winter Meeting at the Marsa Racetrack.

Like the other six trotting events held yesterday, the Premier Class race was on 2,140m. The other race on the card was a flat one on the rather long 2,250 metres.

Such distance is unusual for flat racing in Malta but it was certainly appreciated by the crowd present particularly those who prefer this type of competition.

Charles Camilleri was best driver of the afternoon with two wins in Silver 1 and Silver 3.

Shoguns Bonus was the clear winner in the Premier Class. This 11-year-old German trotter won by three lengths at the post after leading all the way in its third outing in Malta.

Driven by Rodney Gatt, Shoguns Bonus registered an average speed of 1'15.1'' per kilometre. The more quoted Jazz Jambalaya was second and Prevent, a newcomer, was third.

The Gold 3 race developed into an exciting finish with three trotters fighting it out between them for first place and dashing closely together along the last 100m.

From the stands it was hard to judge which horse crossed the finishing line first. No wonder then that the photo finish had to be consulted. When the verdict was announced it resulted that Ksar, under the charge of Charles J. Clifton, was judged to have won the race, the second successive one at Marsa. Ison Des Joncs and Rally Simb placed second and third respectively.

Florissant looked set to win the Silver 1 race but was overtaken on the finishing line by Excelsior D.K., controlled by Camilleri. Florissant had to share second place with Pamir Point.

In Silver 3, Camilleri did well to keep Djinn Marcos Milo in the lead from start to finish. At the end, however, Djinn Marcos Milo was seriously challenged for first place by Korentin.

A new flat start system was introduced at the racetrack yesterday as the runners, instead of entering their respective cages, were made to line up according to handicap.

After one false start, the race took off as planned. It can be freely stated that this new start system appeared better than the previous one adopted by the organisers.

Charles Pace's Diouganer started in second position but sprinted into the lead some 600m from the post to go on and win the race. Privilege Boy, another newcomer, and Generous Spirit placed second and third in that order.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Feb. 28 meeting

A meeting for horse owners, drivers and trainers is to be held on February 28 at the Robert Samut Hall in Floriana, starting at 7.30 p.m.

The main topics to be discussed are dope testing, medicines and healthy food for horses.

The speakers, all Belgian, will be veterinary Bruno Beyne and morticians Ignace Meeus, Monique Wenmeekers and Sebastian Bastogne.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 4, 2,140m - Wind Of Sunshine (J. Zammit).

Race 2: Bronze 5, 2,140m - Mr Bowler (J. Vella).

Race 3: Flat, 2,250m - Diouganer (C. Pace).

Race 4: Bronze 1, 2,140m - Greatballs of Fire (S. Vella).

Race 5: Gold 3, 2,140m - Ksar (C.J. Clifton).

Race 6: Premier Class, 2,140m - Shoguns Bonus (R. Gatt).

Race 7: Silver 3, 2,140m - Djinn Marcos Milo (C. Camilleri).

Race 8: Silver 1, 2,140m - Excelsior D.K. (C. Camilleri).