Think Yatzee surges to glory

Yesterday's card at the Marsa Racetrack included four finals from the U*Bet Championships for Swedish trotters. These finals were contested over the 2,140-metre distance while the other four events on the card, all trotting but with no connection to any competition, were run on the rather long distance of 3,140 metres.

As expected, the U*Bet Premier final drew most interest from the sizeable crowd present.

Clint Vassallo managed to drive Think Yatzee to its second win on the trot in its second race in Malta.

Think Yatzee was always in contention and virtually made sure of victory with a surge just before the entrance to the final straight.

Schejken Bill, also in its second outing in Malta, got second place ahead of Staro Tonic. Think Yatzee clocked an average of 1'15.1' per kilometre.

The U*Bet Gold Championship honours went to Daren Mizzi's Tough East.

This trotter grabbed the lead halfway through the distance and went on to keep in check Royal Pointer's last frantic efforts to claim glory. Emil Brebro, coming from two consecutive victories, had to be content with third place this time around.

The Bronze Championship final had quite an exciting finish with Goldbowler and Echo Lloyd running past the post together.

The photo finish had to be consulted to determine the winner and the verdict went in favour of Echo Lloyd, directed by Carmelo Farrugia. Rybo Linus was third.

Syillabub looked set to win the U*Bet Silver Championship after leading for most of the race but at the end it was overtaken by eventual winner Patriarque, a 13-year-old trotter controlled by Julian Farrugia. Handy was third behind Syillabub.

The championship trophies were presented to the winners by Matthew Brincat, MRC chairman, Mario Cassar and Iris Camilleri Mifsud, from sponsors Maltco, and Stefan Karlsson and Leif Halmgren who represented ATG of Sweden.

Meanwhile, the Gold 1 race yesterday was won by Joyful Du Douetil, driven by Jesmond Attard.

This trotter led from start to finish. Hans Des Landiers and Kosker Mancellerie were second and third in that order.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Friday, starting at 7 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 5, 3,140m - Numa Du Goutier (M. Ellul).

Race 2: Bronze 3, 3,140m - Le Tadzio (D. Mizzi).

Race 3: U*Bet Championship Bronze - 2,140m Echo Lloyd (C. Farrugia).

Race 4: U*Bet Championship Gold - 2,140m Tough East (D. Mizzi).

Race 5: Gold 1, 3,140m - Joyful Du Douetil (J. Attard).

Race 6: U*Bet Championship Premier - 2,140m Think Yatzee (C. Vassallo).

Race 7: U*Bet Championship Silver - 2,140m Patriarque (J. Farrugia).

Race 8: Silver 5, 3,140m - Golf Oul Dada (N. Baldacchino).