Bello Fratello wins President’s Cup final

Swedish 13-year-old Bello Fratello, under the guidance of Anthony Spagnol, took the honours in yesterday’s major race at Marsa when finishing first in the President’s Cup final for Premier class trotters.

The final, on a distance of 2,140m, formed part of the 60th meeting of the season. In all, the programme included eight all-trotting races.

Nine horses lined up in the President’s Cup. Lucas Ness (Mario Farrugia) was the fastest trotter at first and opened a length’s lead from Alf Eme (Julian Farrugia) and Melino du Rib (Clifforty Calleja).

However, Lucas Ness was unable to keep up the pace and with some 300m to go this trotter started to slow down and was eventually overtaken by Bello Fratello which surged ahead from the middle of the straight for home on its way to victory. Niarpan (Charles Camilleri) was second and Melino du Rib (Clifforty Calleja) fourth behind Lucas Ness.

Bello Fratello obtained its fifth win of the season in an average time of 1.15.7” per kilometre.

Bernard Vassallo, Kunsill Malti għall-iSport chairman, presented the President’s Cup to Spagnol at the end of the race.

The winning driver was im-pressed with the excellent finish of his horse.

“This was a very close race and all horses in the final produced a tough challenge,” Spagnol said.

“Bello Fratello was outstanding at the straight, however. The race was actually won thanks to that surge. The horse’s consistency levels have improved significantly during the past few weeks.”

Yesterday’s card also included two Gold class races.

In the first, French Lys de l’Oasis (Julian Farrugia) sprinted ahead of the field 150m from the finishing line to win from Mint Spirit (Peter Paul Said), Magic Vaumicel (Mario Falzon) and Korentin (Noel Baldacchino).

Swedish Livi Cantona (Julian Farrugia) profited from the disqualification of Lutan Villetot (Charles Camilleri) in the final metres of the other Gold race.

Livi Cantona went on to record its second win at Marsa. Landi Breton (Wayne Farrugia) was second ahead of Black Guy (Brian Hili) and Hans des Landiers (James Carabott).

Another programme, consisting of eight races, will be held next Sunday. The card will include five finals for French trotters.

The first race starts at 1.30 p.m.

Winners at racetrack

Race 1. Copper, Luron de la Prade (Charlo Debono).
Race 2. Bronze, Pajarito Nada (Frans Tanti).
Race 3. Bronze, Louise Wood (Rodney Gatt).
Race 4. President’s Cup final, Bello Fratello (Anthony Spagnol).
Race 5. Gold, Lys de l’Oasis (Julian Farrugia).
Race 6. Silver, Notice As (Carl Caruana).
Race 7. Gold, Livi Cantona (Julian Farrugia).
Race 8. Silver, Prince Brilliance (Noel Baldacchino).