Premier success for Kakisis as Uncle Bertie wins on debut

Driven by Johan Axisa, 12-year-old Kakisis took the honours in yesterday’s Premier Class race on the short distance of 2,140m.

The 43rd meeting of the season at Marsa comprised 10 events, including a 1,750m flat race which was won by debutant Uncle Bertie.

Thirteen horses lined up for the start of the Premier race. It was Swedish Arnie Sensation (Carmelo Farrugia) that surged ahead with a lap to go. But, in the middle of the final straight, Arnie Sensation surrendered the lead to the charging Kakisis (Axisa) that went on to obtain its second win this season.

Loulou du Lamee (Charles Camilleri) and Niro (David Ellul) were third and fourth respectively. The winner clocked an average time of 1.15.3” per kilometre.

The flat race, featuring no fewer than six newcomers, saw English debutant Uncle Bertie (Michael Sultana) lead from start to finish. At the post, Sultana’s mount was five lengths ahead of Wildnis (Ramon Grima), Ollie Fliptrik (Charles Pace) and Tarruji (Oliver Briffa).

Yesterday’s card also included two races for Gold Class trotters.

Quick Cape (Julian Farrugia) recorded its third win of the year and the second in a row after increasing its speed in the final metres of the first Gold race.

This Swedish 11-year-old trotter finished a length ahead of Count Of Life (Michael Ellul), Lover Boy Index (Mark Desira) and Lys de l’Oasis (Carl Caruana).

There was a keen tussle in the second Gold Class race between L’Alpha de Cosse (Noel Baldacchino) and Zerbin (Sam Cassar). The win was awarded to the former with Freak (Carl Caruana) and Nill’s Daka (Mario Farrugia) finishing third and fourth respectively.

Another meeting, made up of 10 races, was held on Friday evening. In the Premier Class race, Herman McKay led French horse Knock de Manche to its first win of the season. American mare No Telling (Michael Sultana) obtained its third win of the year in the only flat race.

Yesterday's Winners

Race 1: Copper – Geo Hovmand (C. Calleja) – 1.19.4”.
Race 2: Copper – Hulegardens Filur (N. Baldacchino) – 1.19.4”.
Race 3: Bronze – Dandy (R. Polidano) – 1.19”.
Race 4: Flat – Uncle Bertie (M. Sultana) – 1.49.7”.
Race 5: Gold – Quick Cape (J. Farrugia) – 1.16”.
Race 6: Silver – Castor Pollux (R. Gatt) – 1.19.5”.
Race 7: Silver – Major Luchois (B. Hili) – 1.17”.
Race 8: Premier – Kakisis (J. Axisa) – 1.15.3”.
Race 9: Gold – L’Alpha de Cosse (N. Baldacchino) – 1.17.7”.
Race 10: Bronze – Bankir Zon (C. Vassallo) – 1.16.2”.