Favourite In Vitro Du Bourg wins top race at Marsa

The Premier Class race was the main event in yesterday's all-trotting card at the Marsa Racetrack.

The most-awaited race of the afternoon was on 2,640m while the others, three Gold, two Silver and three Bronze races, were all on 2,140m.

Charles Camilleri was the meeting's best driver yesterday with two wins in Gold 3 and Gold 4.

Eight of the best trotters currently in Malta ran in the Premier Class, the sixth race in programme.

Jazz Jambalaya did most of the running early on after taking a lead off the start. However, its challenge started to wane at the entrance to the final straight as In Vitro Du Bourg, driven by James Carabott, surged forward ahead of the pack.

In the final metres, In Vitro Du Bourg looked a comfortable winner, two lengths ahead of Jazz Jambalaya while Illico De Reville was third.

In Gold 3, Camelo As looked cruising to victory after leading from the start but was surprised by Camilleri's Otto Somatic which sprinted strongly from the outside to seize the lead and finish first for the second successive race.

In Gold 4, Led Zeppelin, also under Camilleri's charge, pipped two front trotters to the post to snatch victory.

The Gold 5 race had quite an interesting finish with no fewer than five horses dashing closely together along the final 100m.

At the post, it was Galex De La Croix, controlled by Ivan Bilocca, which managed to win by a head. Iras Du Bottey was second.

Frank Portelli drove outsider Fenris to victory in Silver 2 while Job Du Fosse, controlled by Brian Hili, won the Silver 4 race notwithstanding the final efforts of Napoleon Hjo.

The next meeting at Marsa will be held on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 5, 2,140m - Mr Bowler (J. Vella).

Race 2: Bronze 4, 2,140m - First De Vendee (N. Baldacchino).

Race 3: Bronze 3, 2,140m - Not To Worry (J. Farrugia).

Race 4: Gold 5, 2,140m - Galex De La Croix (I. Bilocca).

Race 5: Gold 3, 2,140m - Otto Somatic (C. Camilleri).

Race 6: Premier Class, 2,640m - In Vitro Du Bourg (J. Carabott).

Race 7: Gold 4, 2,140m - Led Zeppelin (C. Camilleri).

Race 8: Silver 2, 2,140m - Fenris (F. Portelli).

Race 9: Silver 4, 2,140m - Job Du Fosse (B. Hili).