Baldacchino steers Jamesde l’Iton to victory in Sicily

James de l’Iton won the international competition Premio Trofeo del Mediterraneo which was held late on Sunday at the Mediterranean Racetrack in Syracuse.

In this competition, Maltese drivers competed against Sicilian counterparts with their own horses, transported to Sicily for the occasion.

The contest, the first leg of which was held at the Marsa Racetrack last month, started with two heats with the top-placed horses qualifying for the major final held during the same day and also over the distance of a mile. The horses that did not make it to the main event took part in a consolation final.

In the first heat, reserved for Maltese participants, James de l’Iton (Noel Baldacchino) finished first in an average time of 1.14.4” per kilometre. Kain Poifond (Clifforty Calleja) was second ahead of Arnie Sensation (Carmelo Farrugia), My Red Force (Rodney Gatt) and Lucky Marceaux (George Attard).

The Encounter Race final was similar to the heat reserved for Maltese drivers earlier in the meeting.

Once again, it was James de l’Iton that won the race, this time in an average time of 1.14.6” per kilometre with Kain Poifond again the runner-up. Arnie Sensation was third.

Certainly, the Premio Trofeo del Mediterraneo will remain an historic event for the Malta Racing Club. It was the first time in the history of the club that Maltese drivers took part in an international competition abroad and with their own horses.

The final carried a total prize money of €7,700. The consolation final was won by Italian Ice Cube (Salvo d’Aluisi) from Race Ball (Tony Demanuele).

James de l’Iton is a 13-year-old French trotter sired by James Pile and Angie Vera. This horse is owned by Anthony Bajada and Kevin Falzon and trained by Raymond Micallef.

Falzon said winning the final was not an easy task and heaped praise on driver Baldacchino.

“It was thanks to Noel Baldacchino that we won this international event,” Falzon said.

“In the final metres, our driver was clever enough to steer James de l’Iton between two Sicilian horses and win the race.

“This win also confirms the good form of our horse and how much James de l’Iton prefers to race in racetracks like that of Syracuse which has a long straight.

“On my behalf and on behalf of co-owner Anthony Bajada, we would like to thank our driver and trainer and the Maltese racing enthusiasts for their support.”

The Maltese delegation in Sicily was led by MRC chairman Matthew Brincat.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Charles Camilleri will represent Malta in another trotting heat of the Mediterranaean Championship.

The race will be staged at the Cagnes Sur Mer Hippodrome in France. Camilleri will be accompanied by Mark Vella, MRC Director of Marketing.