Major Chaleonnais leads quartet of debutants
Three U*Bet finals contested
The headline events in yesterday’s meeting at the Marsa Racetrack were the Premier and Gold races, both on the rather long 2,640m, plus the U*Bet Championship finals of the Silver, Bronze and Copper classes on 2,140m.
Charlò Debono was the meeting’s best driver with two wins.
The Premier Class produced an exciting finish involving newcomer to Maltese trotting Major Chaleonnais, driven by Debono, and another debutant, Master Perrine. Victory went to Major Chaleonnais. Mon Daniel and Malin Roro, third and fourth in that order, were also making their debut at Marsa.
Neo De Mira, under the charge of George Muscat, surprised one and all in the final straight to clinch first place in the Gold race. It was followed by Kalipso Pierji and Maestro D’Eloges.
Charles Camilleri’s Gigo Lloyd had no difficulty winning the U*Bet Silver final after leading all the way. Ironbar took second place ahead of Noble Spirit.
Favourite Robin Lou, driven by Michael Ellul, took the honours in the U*Bet Bronze final but had to go all out to withstand Internet’s challenge in the final metres. Super Swede had to settle for third place. Robin Lou recorded its second win on the trot.
The U*Bet Copper final was won by Supremo As, led by Christian Xerri. Supremo As clinched victory after holding off the last-gasp efforts of Pretty Post and Staro Braveheart, second and third in respectively.
A tussle along the final straight between five trotters went the way of Tip Tip Tap, under the guidance of Mario Bugeja, in the Silver event. Mambo Du Monte placed second.
In another Silver race that had no connection with any championship, Netter Williams (Redent Magro) crossed the finish line first after producing a very strong sprint along the last 150 metres. It was followed in second place by Lutan Villetot.
Yesterday’s winners at the Marsa Racetrack
Race 1: Copper, 2,640m – Hulegardens Filur (N. Baldacchino).
Race 2: Bronze, 2,640m – King Boy Du Dane (C. Debono).
Race 3: Silver, 2,640m – Tip Tip Tap (M. Bugeja).
Race 4: U*Bet Championship Copper final, 2,140m – Supremo As (C. Xerri).
Race 5: Silver, 2,640m – Netter Williams (R. Magro).
Race 6: U*Bet Championship Bronze final, 2,140m – Robin Lou (M. Ellul).
Race 7: Premier, 2,640m – Major Chaleonnais (C. Debono).
Race 8: U*Bet Championship Silver final, 2,140m – Gigo Lloyd (C. Camilleri).
Race 9: Gold class, 2,140m – Neo De Mira (G. Muscat).