Three wins for Baldacchino

Driver Noel Baldacchino once again took the plaudits at the Marsa Racecourse yesterday, winning no fewer than three of the nine races contested.

All nine trotting events yesterday were on the 2,640m distance. Except for one race each from the Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions, the rest were SECF heats for French trotters from the Prix De Caen (Bronze 2) and the same number from the Prix De Marseille (Bronze 3).

A strong attack initiated 200 metres from the post enabled Charlie Smitt (Charlò Debono) to win the Gold 4. Sorrento and Rex Daro finished second and third respectively.

Joker Pitstop (C. Camilleri) was first past the post in the Silver 4 after withstanding the attacks of three other horses.

There was quite a tussle between three trotters along the last 150 metres but it was Job Du Fosse (Tony Demanuele) that passed the post first, just ahead of Ideal De Suce. J'Oserai also booked a place in the final from this first heat of the Prix De Caen.

Impact Classic (Baldacchino) dashed strongly along the final straight to claim first place in the second heat, followed closely by Moustique Rose. The third trotter to qualify for the final was Gagneur De Brillon.

Kemir Royal (Jeffrey Xerri) won the third and final heat thanks to a sprint along the last 150m. Icash De Nancras and Nove De La Merite also made it to the final.

Joyau Du Tremblay and Ignace De Castelle looked to have crossed the finishing line neck-and-neck in the first heat of the Prix De Marseille and the photo finish had to be consulted to determine the winner. The verdict went in favour of Joyau Du Tremblay, driven by Camilleri. Hiklande De Monti also advanced to the final.

Handy Star (Carl Caruana) increased its pace considerably along the final straight to secure first place in the heat that followed. Harry Passion and Jiosco Des Bordes claimed the remaining qualifying spots.

First place in heat three went to Karnak Du Caux (Baldacchino) but this trotter had to go all out in the final metres to see off the attacks of Joker Des Sarts and Jeff Du Bois Morin. The latter two trotters also clinched a place in the final.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 4 - Trombone Kall (N. Baldacchino).
Race 2: SECF Prix De Marseille Bronze 3, Heat 1 - Joyau Du Tremblay (C. Camilleri).
Race 3: SECF Prix De Marseille Bronze 3, Heat 2 - Handy Star (C. Caruana).
Race 4: SECF Prix De Marseille Bronze 3, Heat 3 - Karnak Du Caux (N. Baldacchino).
Race 5: SECF Prix De Caen Bronze 2, Heat 1 - Job Du Fosse (T. Demanuele).
Race 6: Gold 4 - Charlie Smitt (C. Debono).
Race 7: SECF Prix De Caen Bronze 2, Heat 2 -Impact Classic (N. Baldacchino).
Race 8: SECF Prix De Caen, Bronze 2 Heat 3 - Kemir Royal (J. Xerri).
Race 9: Silver 4 - Joker Pitstop (C. Camilleri).