Lusty Ball prevails in Premier Class

Yesterday's all-trotting card at the Marsa Racetrack included ten races on the 2,140m distance.

No race was attached to any particular competition but the Premier Class and the two Gold Class events were the highlights of the programme in this third meeting of the season.

The card also included two races from the Silver class, three Bronze and two Copper.

Noel Baldacchino and Julian Farrugia were the best drivers of the afternoon with two wins each.

The Premier Class race developed into a close affair with Farrugia's Lusty Ball, which led for most of the distance, going on to beat James De L'Iton at the post.

Joker de Choisel was another close challenger but had to settle for third place in the end.

The first Gold race yesterday kept those present at Marsa on their toes throughout the distance.

Charles J. Clifton's Le Coup de Foudre had an excellent start and looked heading for a comfortable victory.

However, along the straight for home, Le Coup de Foudre was chased all the way by Lord the Best whose bold effort only yielded the runner-up position ahead of third-placed Kojak D'Isques.

There was a very tight duel at the end of the second Gold event in store, between Kiflosak Cordiere (Mario Farrugia) and Must Du Buisson. The former reached the post first and third place went to Janville.

In the first Silver event of yesterday's programme, the photo finish had to be consulted to declare Kaki De Peyrahout (Charles Camilleri) winner after a neck-and-neck finish with Kaki Du Vivier.

The winner of the second Silver Class race yesterday was Jollity, under the charge of Farrugia. Jaguar de France was a strong contender in this race but Jollity was the first horse past the post.

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

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, Newmarket Boy (S. Formosa).
Race 2: Copper, Lazume Simoni (N. Baldacchino).
Race 3: Bronze, Ignace de Castelle (C. Calleja).
Race 4: Bronze, Josepha Du Hainaut (N. Baldacchino).
Race 5: Gold, Le Coup de Foudre (C.J. Clifton).
Race 6: Silver, Kaki de Peyrahout (C. Camilleri).
Race 7: Premier, Lusty Ball (J. Farrugia).
Race 8: Gold, Kiflosak Cordiere (M. Farrugia).
Race 9: Silver, Jollity (J. Farrugia).
Race 10: Bronze, Leader Changerie (S. Portelli).