Kakisis beats Play On Me in Premier final

Driven by Johan Axisa, favourite Kakisis won yesterday’s major race at Marsa, the Dragonara Cup final for Premier class trotters. This race, on 2,640m, formed part of the 52nd meeting of the season made up of eight races, all for trotters.

The final was contested by eight horses. Kain Poifond (Clifforty Calleja) was the fastest horse in the initial stages, opening a length’s lead from Mica Bonero (Brian Hili) and Label Pont Vautier (Charles Debono).

However, with a lap to go, Kakisis and Play On Me (Julian Farrugia) started to increase their pace. These two trotters were involved in a keen tussle in the final metres with Kakisis obtaining its fourth win in a row and the fifth of the season.

Lou Petiot (Michael Axisa) and Mica Bonero finished third and fourth respectively. The winner clocked an average speed of 1.16.7” per kilometre.

Johan Schembri, on behalf of Dragonara Casino, presented the trophy to Axisa.

L’Alpha de Cosse (Julian Farrugia) sprinted strongly midway through the final straight of the Condition Race final for Gold class trotters. This horse obtained its third win of the season from Lord of Rush (Ludvic Ghigo), Lucky des Brisants (Christian Xerri) and Major Luchois (Brian Hili).

There was a close finish in the Condition Race final for Silver class trotters. The win went to Neo de Mira (George Muscat) after the photo-finish had to be consulted to determine the winner.

Netter Williams (Redent Magro), Jet de Mee (Julian Farrugia) and Energy Launcher (Jonathan Zammit) finished second, third and fourth respectively. For Neo de Mira, this was its second win in a row.

In the Condition Race final for Bronze class horses, French Omegane de Lubin (Frenċu Cassar) stormed clear of the field with 200m left to claim its first win in Malta from Judoka du Rib (Joe Farrugia).

Klaxon de la Croix (Christian Xerri) and Moustique Rose (Noel Baldacchino) finished in third and fourth place. The next programme will be held on Friday, with the first race starting at 6.15 p.m.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Inedit du Tachen (James Carabott) – 1.19.7”.
Race 2: Bronze, Piccola Zanzara (Herman McKay) – 1.17.9”.
Race 3: Bronze, Omegane de Lubin (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.18.7”.
Race 4: Silver, Neo de Mira (George Muscat) – 1.20.4”.
Race 5: Silver, Hans des Landiers (James Carabott) – 1.18.1”.
Race 6: Final, L’Alpha de Cosse (Julian Farrugia) – 1.18.5”.
Race 7: Premier, Kakisis (Johan Axisa) – 1.16.7”.
Race 8: Silver class, Must du Buisson (Charles Camilleri) – 1.19.9”.