Joker De Choisel equals 2,640m record

The championships for French trotters, over the 2,640m distance and sponsored by SECF, came to a close yesterday when six finals were raced. A big crowd flocked to the racecourse to watch an interesting programme that also included the popular Mediterranean Derby, run over 1,750 metres.

Julian Farrugia was the meeting's best driver with two wins.

Veteran driver Frenċu Cassar put Joker De Choisel, on a high after breaking the local record for the 2,640m distance, into the lead in the early stages of the Prix de Vincennes (Premier) final.

For a long stretch, the leading trotter was closely followed by In Vitro Du Bourg but in the final straight, the tussle for first place was a two-horse affair between Joker De Choisel and James De L'Iton. At the post, it was Cassar's horse that obtained a merited victory. Hiracan De Brehan placed third and In Vitro Du Bourg came in a distant fourth.

For the record, Joker De Choisel equalled its own 2,640m mark with an average speed of 1:13.06 per kilometre.

The Prix d'Enghien (Gold) final came to life in the final part as Kosker Mancellerie, Lutin Du Val and Joker Merett challenged each other for first place. Lutin Du Val surged ahead 100 metres from the finishing line only to be overtaken by a sprinting Kosker Mancellerie, under the control of Benny Briffa.

Joker Merett was a close third.

After taking the lead a lap from the post, Love Me Bourbon, under the direction of Farrugia, looked like cruising towards a comfortable win in the Prix de Cabourg (Silver) final.

But, in the last metres it had to go all out to hold off the last efforts of second horse in, Korentin, while Kaolin De Bannes was third.

Jeo De Touvois looked well-placed to win the Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer (Bronze 1) after leading from the start but it surrendered first place at the post to Charlo Debono's Iptus. Third place went to L'Ideal De Fersan.

Moustique Rose, under the reins of Farrugia, jumped into the lead a lap from the end on its way to winning the Prix de Caen (Bronze 2). It was followed across the finishing line by Impact Classic and Gagneur De Brillon, second and third respectively.

The Prix de Marseille (Bronze 3) saw Clifforty Calleja increasing Ignace De Castelle's pace in the last 500 metres to clinch victory ahead of Hiklande de Monti and Handy Star.

In the Mediterranean Derby, favourite Privilege Boy snatched the lead 900 metres from the end but in the final straight, Minglaz turned up the heat on the leader with a strong attack. The two runners were virtually neck-and-neck when they crossed the finishing line.

The official result came as a disappointment for Privilege Boy as this horse was disqualified for temporarily going off course during the race. First place was awarded to Minglaz, ridden by Paul Abela. Pour L'Amour and Diouganer finished second and third respectively.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Prix de Marseille, Bronze 3, 2,640m Ignace De Castelle (C. Calleja).
Race 2: Prix de Caen, Bronze 2, 2,640m Moustique Rose (J. Farrugia).
Race 3: Prix de Cabourg, Silver 2,640m Love Me Bourbon (J. Farrugia).
Race 4: Prix d'Enghien, Gold, 2,640m Kosker Mancellerie (B. Briffa).
Race 5: Prix de Vincennes, Premier, 2,640m Joker De Choisel (F. Cassar).
Race 6: The Mediterranean Derby, 1,750m Minglaz (P. Abela).
Race 7: Prix de Cagnes, Bronze 1, 2,640m Iptus (C. Debono).