Mont Cenis Honey grabs top honour

The highlight of yesterday’s programme at the Marsa racetrack was the Prix de Vincennes final for French horses from the Premier Class on the long distance of 2,640m.

This final formed part of the 61st and last meeting of the season which contained eight races. In all, there were five finals of SECF Championships, organised by the Malta Racing Club with the financial support of Societè du Cheval Francais (SECF).

Eight horses lined up for the Prix de Vincennes final. It was Mont Cenis Honey (Noel Baldacchino) which surged ahead after the official start.

The favourite opened a length lead from Madis Boy (Charles Camilleri) and Lou Petiot (Michael Axisa). In the final metres, Mont Cenis Honey maintained its pace to obtain its fourth consecutive win in Malta from Madis Boy, Kakisis (Johan Axisa) and Lou Petiot, driven by Johan’s father, Michael Axisa. The winner clocked an average of 1.15.7” per kilometre.

Daniel Rondeau, the French Ambassador to Malta, presented the trophy to Balcacchino, the winning driver, and C. Micallef, the owner of Mont Cenis Honey, in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli, Bernard Vassallo, chairman of the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport, SECF official Benoit Fabrega and MRC chairman Matthew Brincat.

Certainly, 2010 will go down as a memorable year for Baldacchino who will be crowned champion driver of the year in the coming days.

In the Prix d’Enghien final for Gold Class trotters, Lucky des Brisants (Christian Xerri) took the lead with a lap to go and registered its second win of the year. Kiflosak Cordiere (Frenċu Cassar) was second ahead of Max Galbe (Carmelo Agius) and Never Better (David Ellul).

In the Prix de Cabourg final for Silver Class trotters, Muflier des Fleurs (Baldacchino) led all the way to cruise to its third consecutive win from Neo de Mira (George Muscat). Kaki du Vivier (Clint Vassallo) and Nevermind (Rodney Gatt) finished third and fourth respectively.

Salvu Cutajar put Mousko Royal in front 400m from the end of the Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer final for Bronze Class trotters. This horse recorded its fifth win of the year from November Oaks (Charles Camilleri), Kalifant de Jemma (David Ellul) and Noli de Marray (Patrick Spiteri).

The Prix de Caen final was open for Copper Class trotters. Here, favourite Kendo du Chene (Larson Mifsud) chalked up its sixth win of the season after increasing its speed with 600m to go. Kendo du Chene triumphed by five lengths from Juaben (Shawn Portelli), Monte Cinto Mag (Benny Briffa) and Larkay d’Echal (Julian Farrugia).

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Silver, Izor Rick (E. Bondin) – 1.17.6”.
Race 2: Prix de Caen final, Kendo du Chene (L. Mifsud) – 1.18.9”.
Race 3: Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer final, Mousko Royal (S. Cutajar) – 1.17.8”.
Race 4: Copper, General (R. Gatt) – 1.19.7”.
Race 5: Prix de Cabourg final, Muflier des Fleurs (N. Baldacchino) – 1.15.7”.
Race 6: Prix de Vincennes final, Mont Cenis Honey (N. Baldacchino) – 1.15.7”.
Race 7: Prix d’Enghien final, Lucky des Brisants (C. Xerri) – 1.16.9”
Race 8: Silver, Bankir Zon (C. Vassallo) – 1.16.9”.