Kakisis, Marini du Mont win top races

Kakisis and Marini du Mont won the two main trotting races at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday. These were the semi-finals of the SECF Prix de Vincennes Championship for French horses from the Premier class.

Yesterday's card also included a flat race for the Zerafa Cup on the 1,250m distance. Oliver Briffa led French mare Etoile du Pic to victory in this final.

In the first Prix de Vincennes semi, Johan Axisa got the best out of Kakisis with 600m to go as this trotter went on to obtain its first win of the season from Lucky Fan (Carl Caruana), Jajolet (Benny Briffa) and L'An Deux Milles (Chris Cassar). The winner clocked an average time of 1.17.6" per kilometre.

James de l'Iton and Lou Petiot, two of the most consistent horses over the past weeks, failed to progress to the final.

Seven other horses lined up for the second Prix de Vincennes semi-final which produced a close finish.

Madis Boy (Charles Camilleri), which led almost all the way, and outsider Marini du Mont (Salvu Vella) dashed past the post together.

The photofinish had to be consulted and victory was awarded to Marini du Mont with Liosco Atout (Herman Mc Kay) and In Vitro du Bourg (Ivan Bilocca) also qualifying for the final.

Marini du Mont clocked an average time of 1.15.7" per kilometre in its maiden victory at Marsa.

In the only flat race of the day, the Zerafa Cup final, Daisy Girl (Demis Zammit) began to slow down with 100m to go and was overtaken by Etoile du Pic, ridden by Briffa, which triumphed from Silence Caresse (Michael Sultana). Irish newcomer Maya (Eric Zammit) was fourth.

At the end of the race, Max Zerafa presented the trophy to Briffa.

Meanwhile, another meeting, consisting of 10 trotting races, was held on Friday evening. The programme comprised four semi-finals, also for French trotters.

Loup de Sevres (Julian Farrugia) and Kenor Celeste (Raymond Clifton) won the semi-finals from the Prix de Caen Championship (Copper).

Nereus Galbe (Noel Baldacchino) and Mambere (Mark Debono) grabbed the honours in the Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer semi-finals for French horses in the Bronze class.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Maltese drivers in Sweden

Five Maltese drivers, namely Karl Debono, Eugenio Bondin, Carl Caruana, Jason Vassallo and Etienne Carabott, will today take part in a race for amateur drivers at the Mantorp racetrack in Sweden.

This event, known as the Mantorp-Malta race, will be on the short distance of 2,140m. During today's meeting, Maltese professional trainer and driver Charles Degiorgio will also participate in a number of races.

Yesterday's Winners

Race 1: Copper - Super Chic (M. Ellul).

Race 2: Bronze - Larissa du Breil (C. Calleja).

Race 3: Zerafa Cup - Etoile du Pic (O. Briffa).

Race 4: Prix de Cabourg semi-final - Marco Barbes (R. Gatt).

Race 5: Prix de Cabourg semi-final - Nevermind (R. Gatt).

Race 6: Prix d'Enghien semi-final - Le Coup de Foudre (C. Clifton).

Race 7: Prix de Vincennes semi-final - Kakisis (J. Axisa).

Race 8: Prix de Vincennes semi-final - Marini du Mont (S. Vella).

Race 9: Prix d'Enghien semi-final - My Danover (C. Xerri).

Race 10: Silver - Master Lupin (J. Farrugia).