Popular driver Noel Baldacchino steered James de l’Iton and Mont Cenis Honey to victory in yesterday’s two major races, the heats from the Prix de Vincennes Championships for French horses from the Premier class, on the long distance of 2,640m.
These races formed part of the 55th meeting of the season, made up of 11 events, all heats for French trotters. The French championships are organised by the Malta Racing Club with the financial support of the French Association Societè du Cheval Francais.
Baldacchino finished as the meeting’s best driver with three wins.
From the two Premier class heats, 12 horses moved into the semi-finals.
In the first heat from the Prix de Vincennes, Lovely Mab (Johan Gaffarena) led for almost the entire distance.
But, in the last 400m, this French 11-year-old was overtaken by James de l’Iton (Baldacchino) which registered its fourth win of the season from Liosco Atout (Herman McKay), Le Bon Mayennais (Clifforty Calleja), Madis Boy (Charles Camilleri) and Kamis de l’Eveche (Salvu Vella).
Mont Cenis Honey (Baldacchino) was unchallenged in the second Premier heat. This horse obtained its second consecutive win in Malta from Knock de Manche (McKay), newcomer Mystere du Gabaron (Lorry Borg), Loustic d’Anjou (Rodney Gatt), L’As de Seuilly (Julian Farrugia) and Land Havaroche (James Carabott).
In the first Prix d’Enghien heat for Gold class trotters, Ker Pellois (James Briffa) changed its pace 300m from the finish line and was disqualified.
Lascar Beaujolais (Clive Gerada) profited from the disqualification of Ker Pellois to chalk up its third win of the year from Lucky des Brisants (Christian Xerri), Nill’s Daka (Mario Farrugia), Lucky Fan (Carl Caruana) and Major de la Vronde (Toni Tanti).
A keen tussle between two trotters developed in the final metres of the second Gold heat. L’Alpha de Cosse (David Galea) recorded its second win in a row and the fourth of the season from L’Ideal de Fersan (Caruana).
My Danover (Christian Xerri), Loustic d’Apigne (James Briffa) and Lord de l’Aron (Calleja) also made it to the next stage.
Meanwhile, another racing programme was held on Friday evening.
The Prix de Vincennes heat saw popular trotter In Vitro du Bourg (Ivan Bilocca) claim its fifth win of the season from Mica Bonero (Brian Hili), Lady de Vindecy (Julian Farrugia), Lucky Marceaux (Gatt), Kakisis (Johan Axisa) and Lou Petiot (Michael Axisa).
The winner clocked an average of 1.16.8” per kilometre.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Prix de Caen heat (Copper), Larkay d’Echal (J. Farrugia) – 1.18.7”.
Race 2: Prix de Caen heat (Copper), Kendo du Chene (L. Mifsud) – 1.19.2”.
Race 3: Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer heat (Bronze), November Oaks (C. Camilleri) – 1.19.3”.
Race 4: Prix de Cabourg heat (silver), Kiton de Bouere (D. Mizzi) – 1.18.2”.
Race 5: Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer heat (bronze), Lucky Charm (J. Said) - 1.18.6”.
Race 6: Prix de Cabourg heat (Silver), Netter Williams (R. Magro) – 1.17.4”.
Race 7: Prix de Vincennes heat (Premier), James de l’Iton (N. Baldacchino) – 1.17.4”.
Race 8: Prix d’Enghien heat (Gold), Lascar Beaujolais (C. Gerada) – 1.16.8”.
Race 9: Prix de Vincennes heat (Premier), Mont Cenis Honey (N. Baldacchino) – 1.16.5”.
Race 10: Prix d’Enghien heat (Gold), L’Alpha de Cosse (D. Galea) – 1.17.2”.
Race 11: Prix de Cabourg heat (Silver), Muflier des Fleurs (N. Baldacchino) – 1.18.2”.