Uncle Bertie triumphs in Coronation Cup final

Uncle Bertie, ridden by Michael Sultana, won the main race at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday when finishing first in the Chukkas Coronation Cup final, a flat racing event held on a short distance of 1,250 metres.

The final formed part of the 59th meeting of the season that included eight other races among which a Premier class race that was won by favourite Think Yatzee, driven by Clint Vassallo.

Eight horses lined up in the Coronation Cup final.

Mean Mr Mustard (Demis Zammit) was the fastest horse out of the gates. This four-year-old Irish runner opened a length’s lead from Etoile du Pic (Ramon Grima) and Lordswood (Eric Zammit).

But, 500m from the finish, Uncle Bertie, the favourite, stormed clear of the field to register its third win in a row leaving Etoile du Pic, Mean Mr Mustard and No Telling, yesterday driven by Belgian jockey Glenn Braem, in its wake.

At the end of the final, racing club chairman Matthew Brincat presented the Coronation Cup to Sultana and the owners of the winning horse.

In the Premier class race, early leader Jitterbug (Andrew Farrugia) started to slow down considerably 200m from the post. This trotter was eventually overtaken by Think Yatzee (Clint Vassallo) which cruised to its third win of the season from Keelan (Charlo Debono) and Magnific As (Ivan Bilocca). Jitterbug had to settle for fourth place.

Think Yatzee clocked an average of 1.17” per kilometre.

In the only Gold class race of the afternoon, a keen tussle, involving Ker Pellois, driven by James Briffa, and Socrates, under the guidance of James’s father John, developed in the last few metres.

Ker Pellois went on to obtain its first win at the racetrack with L’An Deux Milles (Chris Cassar) and Count of Life (Michael Ellul) finishing third and fourth respectively.

The card also included a Silver class race. Here, Indian Attack (Rodney Gatt) increased its speed with some 300m to go for its fourth win of the season. Kalipso Pierji (Twanny Debono) was the runner-up ahead of Zerbin (Sam Cassar) and Bete Saknussen (Claudio Refalo).

Afternoon meet

Another programme for horse racing enthusiasts will be held this afternoon at the Marsa racetrack.

The programme consists of eight races and includes the final of the President’s Cup for Premier class trotters, a race starting at 2.45 p.m. and held over a short distance of 2,140m.

The first race of the card, open for Copper class trotters, starts at 1.30 p.m.

The winners at Marsa

Race 1: Copper, Nashville Victory (Shaun Portelli).
Race 2: Copper, Larissa du Breil (Clifforty Calleja).
Race 3: Bronze, Nox Blue (Brian Hili).
Race 4: Bronze, Klokkeblomst (George Attard).
Race 5: Gold, Ker Pellois (James Briffa).
Race 6: Bronze, It’s My Way (Brian Hili).
Race 7: Premier, Think Yatzee (Clint Vassallo).
Race 8: Silver, Indian Attack (Rodney Gatt).
Race 9: Flat, Chukkas Coronation Cup, Uncle Bertie (Michael Sultana).