Malta-Sicily Encounter Race at Marsa on Friday

The first leg of the 2010 Malta-Sicily Encounter Race will be held at the Marsa Racetrack on Friday, the Malta Racing Club announced yesterday.

The race, with the sponsorship of U*Bet, is a first for the country involving trotters from Italian stables.

Last year, Maltese-owned horses took part in a race at the Ippodromo del Mediterraneo in Syracuse but the Malta-Sicily Encounter Race will be different.

Matthew Brincat, the Malta Racing Club chairman, told reporters during the launch of the Encounter Race that the Marsa Racetrack will host the first leg next Friday and the 'return' meeting will be staged in Sicily on August 1.

"Although similar races between Maltese drivers or jockeys against their foreign counterparts have been held regularly at our club, it will be the first time that horses from Italian stables will be transported to our country to race, not just the driver or jockey," Dr Brincat said.

Since taking over the management of the track, Dr Brincat and his club have strived hard to host unique events, which always attract bumper crowds to the stands.

"As one would expect, it is definitely not an easy task to organise such an event. I would like to show my appreciation to all those involved, particularly the sponsors, organisers and owners for their contribution in making this Encounter Race an historic one for our club," the chairman said.

The Malta-Sicily Encounter Race will see 18 horses on the entry card, 10 representing the host club and eight from Italy.

The programme starts with two qualifying races over a distance of 1,640m.

Maltese and Italian horses will run separately in the heats and the top five qualify for the final, the last race in store on Friday evening.

The eight trotters missing out will contest a Consolation Final.