Tex Dynamite wins Challenge Cup

There were no Premier and Gold Class races at the Marsa Racecourse yesterday but the meeting featured an innovative competition for retired trotters who vied for the Challenge Cup.

There were no fewer than four Silver events, two Bronze and one Copper, all on the 2,640m distance besides two 1,250m flat races.

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

Eight trotters qualified for the final of the Challenge Cup (1,640m) from two heats that were not included in the official programme.

The heats were won by Eminent CN (E. Zerafa) and Ligist Qui (S. Portelli). Tex Dynamite, driven by Lauro Bartolo, had no difficulty winning the Challenge Cup final after leading all the way.

Ligist Qui and Eminent CN were second and third respectively.

Michael Ellul's Istin jumped into the lead 500 metres from the end of the first Silver race before proceeding to pass the post first.

Victory in yesterday's second Silver race went to Lutan Villetot, controlled by Charles Camilleri.

Three trotters dashed closely together along the last 100m of the third Silver race.

The verdict went in favour of Kalifant De Jemma, driven by David Ellul, which registered its second win on the trot.

Lotus Du Goth and Totte Spiro were declared joint-second.

Krak De Clerlande was first in the fourth Silver race but was disqualified. Victory was awarded to Marcangelo, led by Noel Baldacchino.

A tussle involving three runners along the final straight of the Flat Class A ended in a win for Monashee Prince, ridden by John Farrugia.

The mare Kohima, under the charge of Demis Zammit, had no trouble at all winning the Flat Class B.

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, starting at 1.30 p.m.

Yesterday's Winners

Race 1: Copper, Frederico Kim (C. Farrugia).

Race 2: Bronze, Gandhi Brogard (C. Farrugia).

Race 3: Flat Class B, Kohima (D. Zammit).

Race 4: Silver, Istin (M. Ellul).

Race 5: Silver, Lutan Villetot (C. Camilleri).

Race 6: Flat Class A, Monashee Prince (J. Farrugia).

Race 7: Silver, Kalifant De Jemma (D. Ellul).

Race 8: Silver, Marcangelo (N. Baldacchino).

Race 9: Bronze, Ignace De Castelle (C. Calleja).

Race 10: Challenge Cup, Tex Dynamite (L. Bartolo).