In Vitro Du Bourg in a class of its own

A total of 20 trotters qualified for the semi-finals of the HSBC Open trotting competition on 2,140m after five heats were raced yesterday.

The card also included three trotting races on the long 3,140m distance but these were not related to any competition. Noel Baldacchino was the meeting's best driver with two wins.

In the opening HSBC heat, Baldacchino's James De L'Iton registered its third win on the trot after grabbing the lead 1,200m from the post. Otto Somatic, Just Bourbon and Korenti also booked a place in the semi-finals.

Jazz Jambalaya looked set to win the second heat after leading from the start but was pipped at the post by Hello Classique, driven by Frencu Cassar. Louise Lucky Sea and Indian Wedding also qualified.

As expected, first place in the third heat went to In Vitro Du Bourg. It was another dominant outing for this top trotter as Ivan Bilocca led In Vitro Du Bourg to a five-length win after going ahead a lap from the end.

Pilot Kloster finished second ahead of Hans Des Landiers and Hudson Blue. In Vitro Du Bourg had a good average of 1'14.6'' per kilometre.

A strong dash along the final straight handed first place to Zorro Tuna, under the control of Michael Ellul, in the fourth heat. The winner passed the post just in front of Arrogan Crown that was followed closely in third place by Joss Royal. Illico De Reville was the fourth horse to qualify.

An attack initiated half a lap from the end enabled B.B.S. Balthazar, driven by Carmelo Farrugia, to win the fifth and final HSBC heat. Thankful Major, Kintaro and Pauls Coffee also made it to the semi-finals.

The next meeting will be held on Friday, starting at 7 p.m.

Yesterday's Winners

Race 1: Bronze 5, 3,140m - Classico (N. Baldacchino).
Race 2: Bronze 3, 3,140m - Ilex Garden (J. Farrugia).
Race 3: HSBC Heat 1, 2,140m - James De L'Iton (N. Baldacchino).
Race 4: HSBC Heat 2, 2,140m - Hello Classique (F. Cassar).
Race 5: HSBC Heat 3, 2,140m - In Vitro Du Bourg (I. Bilocca).
Race 6: HSBC Heat 4, 2,140m - Zorro Tuna (M. Ellul).
Race 7: HSBC Heat 5, 2,140m - B.B.S. Balthazar (C. Farrugia).
Race 8: Silver 3, 3,140m - Joker Pitstop (C. Camilleri).