Sultana in decisive MHRU Sicily race

All eyes will be on Michael Sultana today as the Malta Racing Club (MRC) jockey will figure in a decisive seventh and final Mediterranean Horse Racing Union (MHRU) championship leg in Siracusa, Sicily.

In previous races, Malta was represented by Eric Zammit (fourth place in Serbia and first in Tunisia), Oliver Briffa (sixth in Morocco) and Sultana (third in Malta).

The races in Croatia and Algeria from the flat racing championship had to be cancelled.

Malta currently holds joint first place in the provisional standings. MRC chairman Matthew Brincat reckons the position is merited.

“We are on top at the moment along with Morocco,” he said.

“This notwithstanding the fact that in the Cagnes Sur Mer race the horse that was being partnered by our jockey (Sultana) was withdrawn, thus resulting in a big disappointment and loss of precious points for us.

“Irrespective of the outcome of the final race, the results achieved so far are really praiseworthy, particularly when one considers that flat racing in Malta is still a developing sport with a restricted, but growing, number of horses and jockeys.

“Our jockeys in this championship were fully committed to achieve the best possible result for the country. Our high place in the standings is the fruit of a collective effort. It also provides an encouraging message to flat racing enthusiasts and promoters, confirming the strides forward made.”

If Maltese jockeys succeed in winning the MHRU championship in Sicily it would mean a remarkable double for the club in international competitions in 2010 following the success achieved by Maltese drivers in the MHRU trotting championship earlier this year.

“We wish Michael and the Malta team the best of luck,” Dr Brincat said.

“We are convinced that he has spared no effort to prepare himself in the best manner for this appointment.”