Maltese drivers win two of three international races at Marsa

Three international events on the 2,140m distance between Maltese and French drivers and six semi-finals from the championships for French trotters made up yesterday's card at the Marsa racetrack. Noel Baldacchino was again the meeting's best driver with three wins.

Raymond Scerri steered Love D'Anjou to a commanding 12-length victory in the first international event. Echo Lloyd, driven by Frenchman Serge Peltier, was second ahead of L'Echo Kerster, led by Toni Tanti.

The second race culminated in a tussle between five trotters in the final straight. Beautiful Accent, driven by Clifforty Calleja, crossed the finish line first followed by Fastprint, controlled by Frenchman Oliver Raffin, in second place. Rodney Gatt's Fraekke Siem placed third.

Gatt looked set to guide Sorrento to first place in the final international race but it was not to be as On Off, under the charge of French driver Eric Audebert, pipped the then leading horse at the post. Hello Classique, controlled by Frenċu Cassar, was third.

Maltese drivers thus prevailed over their French counterparts by two wins to one.

The first Prix de Vincennes semi-final developed into a duel between In Vitro Du Bourg and James De L'Iton. These two trotters broke away from the rest in the final straight and at the post, it was In Vitro Du Bourg, driven by Ivan Bilocca, that just managed to cross the finish line first, ahead of James De L'Iton. Iris Du Louvet and Kelso Bricois also qualified for the final.

Cassar's Joker De Choisel had no trouble at all winning by 10 lengths the second semi-final with Hiracan De Brehan, Jajolet and Ilik Des Baconval also making it to the final. Joker De Choisel broke the local 2,640m distance record when clocking an average of 1'13.6'' per kilometre.

Lutin Du Val, under the reins of Baldacchino, won the opening semi-final of the Prix d'Enghien thanks to a very strong dash along the final 150m. Kosker Manceellerie, Manifloso and Joker Merett also booked their place in the final.

Ludo Du Parc, under the control of Clint Vassallo, managed to overtake the then leading horse Ksar Clairchamp in the very last metres to win the second semi-final of this championship. The latter horse was eventually disqualified and second place was awarded to Kaki Du Vivier. Kojak D'Isques and Loup De Sevres were the other qualifiers.

In the only flat event yesterday, Privilege Boy, ridden by Eric Zammit, extended its winning run when it clinched The Rite Mix Gatt Bros Challenge Cup. Minglaz and Valley Fog were second and third respectively.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: International Encounter - Love D'Anjou (R. Scerri).
Race 2: Prix de Cabourg, semi-final 1 - Lucky Charm (N. Baldacchino).
Race 3: International Encounter - Beautiful Accent (C. Calleja).
Race 4: Prix d'Enghien, semi-final 1 - Lutin Du Val (N. Baldacchino).
Race 5: Prix de Vincennes - In Vitro Du Bourg (I. Bilocca).
Race 6: International Encounter - On Off (E. Audebert).
Race 7: Prix De Vincennes - Joker De Choisel (F. Cassar).
Race 8: Flat, Rite Mix Gatt Bros. Challenge Cup A final, 1,750m - Privilege Boy (E. Zammit).
Race 9: Prix d'Enghien, semi-final 2 - Ludo Du Parc (C. Vassallo).
Race 10: Prix de Cabourg, semi-final 2 - Korentin (N. Baldacchino).