Dominant In Vitro du Bourg captures 'big' honour

Driven by Ivan Bilocca, In Vitro du Bourg triumphed in yesterday's major race, the Emirates Airlines-Tazza l-Kbira final for trotters on the long distance of 2,640m. This race formed part of the 20th meeting of the season which was made up of eight races, all for trotting horses.

Ten horses lined up for the much-awaited final. Lys de l'Oasis (Joseph Magro) was the fastest horse in the early stages. This French 11-year-old trotter managed to open a one-length lead over Loulou du Lamee (Charles Camilleri) and Isolated (Anthony Spagnol).

But, with 200 metres to go, Lys de l'Oasis began to slow down and was overtaken by the winner, In Vitro du Bourg, that obtained its third successive win. Loulou du Lamee finished second ahead of Kakisis (Johan Axisa) and Isolated.

Young driver Bilocca said he and the horse owners had prepared In Vitro du Bourg intensely for yesterday's final.

"Starting the race in the number one position behind the autostart was not an advantage," Bilocca said. "For this reason, I had to be focused all the way as I knew that In Vitro du Bourg was not going to be very fast in the first metres.

"I am very happy to have won this prestigious cup which completes a series of victories for my horse in all major finals at the Marsa Racetrack."

Paul Fleri Soler, manager of Emirates Airlines for Malta and Cyprus, presented the traditional Tazza l-Kbira cup and an Emirates Airlines horse blanket to Kalċidon Bilocca and Vincent Debono, the owners of the winning horse.

In Vitro du Bourg clocked an average time of 1.15.8" per kilometre. This was the first triumph in the Tazza l-Kbira for In Vitro du Bourg, the popular horse that also finished first in a series of championships for French trotters in recent months.

In the only Gold class race yesterday, Danish trotter Indian Attack (Noel Baldacchino) increased its pace along the final 700 metres to go. Indian attack recorded its second win of the season by half-a-length from Hans des Landiers (James Carabott), Incisa Real (Charles Camilleri) and Marco des Jacquots (Frenċu Cassar).

Yesterday's racing card also included three normal races for Silver class trotters. Furey (Carl Caruana) triumphed in the first after leading all the way. Chef FC (Shawn Portelli) won the second Silver race after sprinting well in the final metres. Kanter Speed (Darren Mizzi) gained its first win of the year in the last Silver race.

The next programme at the Marsa Racetrack is scheduled for Friday, starting at 6.30 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, 2,640m - King Cascade (B. Hili), 1.21.2" (average time)
Race 2: Copper, 2,640m - Niagara Crown (J. Farrugia), 1.19.7"
Race 3: Bronze, 2,640m - Larissa du Breil (C. Calleja), 1.18.7"
Race 4: Gold, 2,640m - Indian Attack (N. Baldacchino), 1.17.8"
Race 5: Silver, 2640m - Furey (C. Caruana), 1.18.2"
Race 6: Silver, 2,640m - Chef FC (S. Portelli) - 1.18.5"
Race 7: Emirates Airlines-Tazza l-Kbira final, 2,640m - In Vitro du Bourg (I. Bilocca), 1.15.8"
Race 8: Silver, 2,640m - Kanter Speed (Darren Mizzi), 1.17.5"