Third successive win for Ker Pellois in Premier Class

As expected, the Premier Class race was the main attraction in yesterday’s fourth meeting of the season at Marsa. The programme consisted of nine races, including two for flat horses. The Premier race was won by Ker Pellois, under the guidance of James Briffa.

All trotting races were held on a long distance of 2,640m yesterday.

Twelve horses lined up for the start of the Premier race.

Mystere du Gabaron (Lorry Borg) was the fastest at the early stages of the race. This horse opened a length’s lead from Never Better (David Ellul) and Swedish newcomer Bill Boing (Carmelo Farrugia).

The pace was frenetic and midway through the straight for home it was Ker Pellois which went in front and registered its third win in a row from Lucky Fan (Carl Caruana), Bill Boing and Kamis de l’Eveche (Salvu Vella).

The winner clocked an average speed of 1.18.3” per kilometre.

Virginia Med (Jesmond Micallef) started to slow down around 450m from the finishing line of the first class flat race. This Irish mare was overtaken by Ollie Fliptrik (Sarah Borg) which obtained its first win of the year from Genievre (Charles Pace), French newcomer Salsiane (Michael Sultana) and Tantalus (Oliver Briffa).

At the end of the race, the hundreds of enthusiasts present at the racetrack applauded Borg for her return to winning form. Two years ago, she was involved in a serious accident during another flat race which left her away from the sport for several months.

Five runners took part in the second flat race of the afternoon at Marsa, reserved for horses coming from Class A.

Mean Mr Mustard (Michael Sultana) surrendered the lead to Irish newcomer Giada Med, mounted by Ramon Grima, with some 100m to go. Mare Giada Med registered its first win with Nikos Heriniere (Oliver Briffa) and Wildnis (Sarah Borg) finishing third and fourth places respectively.

In the only Gold race of the day, a keen tussle developed in the final metres between L’Un des Olivettes (Rodney Gatt), Le Major (Frank Portelli) and Midoun du Home (Tony Mallia). It was L’Un des Olivettes which finished first and Soren Sufflor (Charles Camilleri) coming in at fourth place.

Marsa racetrack winners

Race 1: Class Copper, Glowing Star (George Attard).
Race 2: Class Copper, Ludo Pellois (Charlo Debono).
Race 3: Class Bronze, Jeans de Bannes (Charlo Debono).
Race 4: Class Flat, Ollie Fliptrik (Sarah Borg).
Race 5: Class Silver, Natif du Moulin (Carmelo Farrugia).
Race 6: Class Gold, L’Un des Olivettes (Rodney Gatt).
Race 7: Flat, Giada Med (Ramon Grima).
Race 8: Class Premier, Ker Pellois (James Briffa).
Race 9: Class Bronze, Nox Blue (Brian Hili).