In Vitro Du Bourg in photo-finish win

Five of the nine trotting races in yesterday's 46th meeting of the season were finals from the SECF Championship, a competition open for French trotters. The attention was focused on the Prix De Vincennes which was contested by horses from the Premier Division.

Rodney Gatt was the meeting's best driver with two wins to his credit.

The Prix De Vincennes final lived up to the enthusiasts' high expectations as a number of trotters were in contention for victory up to the last few metres.

In Vitro Du Bourg and James De L'Iton dashed past the finish line together and the photo finish had to be consulted to determine the winner. The verdict went in favour of Ivan Bilocca's In Vitro Du Bourg which was later confirmed as the most consistent horse of 2009.

Lusty Ball finished third.

The Prix D'Enghien (Gold) threw up an exciting duel between eventual winner Lucky Des Brisants, under the charge of Christian Xerri, and second-placed Intrus Des Rioults, in the final metres. Lucky Des Brisants extended its winning run to four consecutive races. Kojak D'Isques placed third.

In the Prix De Cabourg (Silver) final, Must Du Buisson and Marcangelo emerged as the leading contenders for victory. Gatt got the best out of Must Du Buisson to clinch first place and the win.

Early pace-setter Changerie looked set to win the Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer (Bronze) but November Oaks, led by Charles Camilleri, produced a strong finish to snatch victory. Iptus claimed third place.

The Prix De Caen (Copper) final was another hard-fought affair with all nine finalists staying close to each other throughout the race.

In the end, it was Jim Castelets, controlled by Andrew Farrugia, that overtook Killer De Caveland in the final metres to win the race.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, 2,140m - Malta Sara B (M. Farrugia).
Race 2: Copper, 2,140m - Kolk Barbes (J. Magro).
Race 3: Bronze, 2140m - Jibilo Du Terme (C. Farrugia).
Race 4: SECF Prix De Caen (Copper) final, 2,140m - Jim Castelets (A. Farrugia).
Race 5: SECF Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer (Bronze) final, 2,140m - November Oaks (C. Camilleri).
Race 6: SECF Prix De Cabourg (Silver) final, 2,140m - Must Du Buisson (R. Gatt).
Race 7: SECF Prix De Vincennes (Premier) final, 2,140m - In Vitro Du Bourg (I. Bilocca).
Race 8: SECF Prix D'Enghien (Gold) final, 2,140m - Lucky Des Brisants (C. Xerri).
Race 9: Bronze, 2,140m - Lorenz De Noyelles (R. Gatt).