Panhandle Hall surges to victory

The 54th meeting of the season at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday was both varied and interesting with two events from the eight-race card being Krafft Championship finals on 2,140 metres.

There were four races on the rather long distance of 3,140 metres besides a Class A flat race (1,750m) and a novelty race open for Italian ponies (1,140m).

The lead in the combined Premier/Gold Krafft Championship final changed hand three times.

First, it was Quack Pot to nose ahead before Dream Man moved in closely followed by Indian Attack.

Finally, it was Panhandle Hall, driven by Gozitan driver Julian Farrugia and in its second outing at Marsa, which finished strongest to cross the finishing line ahead of Indian Attack and Glory Cowboyland in that order.

In the Silver/Bronze Krafft Championship final, seven-year-old Danish trotter Joker Pitstop, directed by Charles Camilleri, chalked up its third win on the trot after jumping into the lead midway through the final straight.

Joker Pitstop won by two lengths ahead of Regal Trott while Ilex Garden took third place.

Taking the lead half-a-lap from home, James De L'Iton, controlled by Noel Baldacchino, went on to win the Premier Class race yesterday by no fewer than six lengths ahead of the ever-popular In Vitro Du Bourg. Third horse in was Knock De Manche in its second race in Malta.

James De L'Iton clocked an average of 1'15.3'' per kilometre which is a local record for the 3,140m distance.

Race Ball, under the control of Tony Demanuele, won the Gold 2 race ahead of Otto Somatic and Gingoro.

In the flat race, Managing Director, back in Malta after a spell in Belgium, took the lead 900m away from the post but midway through the straight for home Privileged Boy launched a strong attack and took a slight lead to pass the post first by a head. Managing Director had to settle for second place ahead of Just the Best.

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

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Silver 2, Solid V.G. (B. Zammit).

Race 2: Silver 3, Qantele (O. Cauchi).

Race 3: Flat A, Privileged Boy (T. Vella).

Race 4: Silver/Bronze final, Joker Pistop (C. Camilleri).

Race 5: Ponies, Gulino (J. Debono).

Race 6: Premier, James De L'Iton (N. Baldacchino).

Race 7: Premier/Gold final, Panhandle Hall (J. Farrugia).

Race 8: Gold 2, Race Ball (T. Demanuele).