Land Havaroche beats favourite at Marsa

Three Prix de Vincennes (Premier) heats, two Prix d'Enghien (Gold) semi-finals and two Prix de Cabourg (Silver) semi-finals were included in yesterday's card at Marsa, all on the 2,140m distance.

The first Prix de Vincennes heat had a nail-biting finish. In Vitro Du Bourg led for most of the distance but the top favourite was caught along the final 150m by four other trotters with the post being reached first by James Carabott's Land Havaroche in its first race in Malta.

Litchi Du Vivier, Hiracan De Brehan and In Vitro Du Bourg also qualified for the final.

In the second Premier heat, three debutants - Lusty Ball, Loulou Du Lamee and Kakisis - dashed strongly for the finishing line. Kakisis, however, broke pace and was disqualified. The winner was Lusty Ball, yesterday driven by Anthony Spagnol.

Noel Baldacchino then managed to get the best out of James De L'Iton in the final straight for this trotter to win the third Premier heat of the day ahead of Joker De Choisel.

Lucky Des Brisants made it three wins in as many races in Malta after winning the first Prix d'Enghien semi.

Three trotters tussled for first place along the final straight in the second Gold semi-final, yesterday.

Eventually, it was Lindsay Neve that clinched first place followed by Magnum, Kaki Du Vivier and Kojak D'Isques.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, All the World (F. Cassar).
Race 2: Copper, Divinis (R. Gatt).
Race 3: Prix de Cabourg SF (Silver), Marcangelo (C. Camilleri).
Race 4 - Heat 1: Prix de Vincennes (Premier), Land Havaroche (J. Carabott).
Race 5: Prix de Cabourg SF (Silver), Mousko Royal (S. Cutajar).
Race 6: Prix d'Enghien SF (Gold), Lucky Des Brisants (C. Xerri).
Race 7- Heat 2: Prix de Vincennes (Premier), Lusty Ball (A. Spagnol).
Race 8: Prix d'Enghien SF (Gold) Lindsay Neve (N. Baldacchino).
Race 9 - Heat 3: Prix de Vincennes (Premier) James De L'Iton (N. Baldacchino).