Rodney Gatt shines in 2009 Prix de Malte

Rodney Gatt guided Madis Boy to victory in the 2009 Prix de Malte, the annual trotting race between Maltese and French drivers.

This year's race, held in Cordemais, was an interesting affair with Madis Boy passing the post first ahead of Le Dream, driven by the French driver Boisnard. Noel Baldacchino was third with Majestueux d'Or.

"I decided to push the horse into the lead with about 900 metres to go and in the end it proved to be a wise decision as the horse sustained the pace very well," Gatt, 21, commented after the race. The official winner's time was an excellent 1"13'4.

Mark Vella, marketing director of the Malta Racing Club (MRC), expressed his satisfaction at the performances of the Maltese drivers in this year's Prix de Malte.

"It was not easy to repeat last year's excellent result in Laval but this showing proves once again that the Maltese drivers are among the best in business," Vella said.

During their four-day stay in France, the MRC delegation had discussions with officials from SECF who reiterated their commitment to support horse racing in Malta.

Two SECF championships are planned to be staged here in June and December while a number of top French drivers will be visiting Malta in May to take on their Maltese counterparts in an international race at Marsa.

The 2010 Prix de Malte is sched-uled to take place in November.