Darren Mizzi, driving Kiton de Bouere, won the major event on yesterday’s card at Marsa, an international race on a short distance of 2,140m in which local drivers faced the challenge of six professional counterparts from Finland.
This race formed part of the 19th meeting of the season made up of eight races, all for trotters.
The card also included a Premier Class race on 2,640m which was won by Mon Daniel, under the gui-dance of James Carabott.
In all, 12 drivers took part in the international race. The Maltese had a very favourable start and it was Mizzi who put his French trotter in front some 1,200m away from the post. Kiton de Bouere went on to win comfortably by five lengths with three other Maltese drivers following behind. These were Julian Farrugia (Ironbar), Larson Mifsud (Improve Simb) and David Ellul (Vera LH).
At the end of the race, Malta Racing Club chairman Matthew Brincat presented the winning trophy to Mizzi. Dr Brincat also gave a memento to the foreign drivers in the international race.
Kiton de Bouere registered its first win of the season yesterday, clocking an average speed of 1’18” per kilometre.
There was a close finish in the Premier Class race when Mon Daniel (James Carabott) and Master Perrine (Herman McKay) sprinted together in the straight for home.
The win was eventually awarded to Mon Daniel after the photo-finish had been consulted by the race marshalls.
Belafonte (Charlo Debono) and Mark de Chamant (Michael Seychell) finished third and fourth respectively.
Mon Daniel recorded its second win at the racetrack in an average 1’16” per kilometre.
In the Gold Class race, New Sun (Clint Vassallo) was over-taken by Matador Knick (Carmelo Far-rugia) some 200m from the finishing line to chalk up its second win of the season.
Major de La Vronde (Andrew Spiteri) and Victory Toll (Julian Farrugia) followed behind in that order.
There were three events in all for Silver Class trotters at the racetrack, yesterday.
French Oscardo du Val (Jeffrey Pace) obtained its first win in the opening race from this category after increasing its speed 400m from the post.
Obscur de Busset (Shawn Portelli) also registered its first win after sprinting strongly in the final straight.
Ouragan de Valsoiz (Em-manuel Garzia) surged clear of the field with a lap to go for victory in the remaining Silver Class event of the afternoon.
The next racing programme at Marsa will be held on Sunday.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Marathon d’Isques (Herman McKay).
Race 2: Bronze, Kendo du Chene (Larson Mifsud).
Race 3: Silver, Oscardo du Val (Jeffrey Pace).
Race 4: Silver, Obscur de Busset (Shawn Portelli).
Race 5: Gold, Matador Knick (Carmelo Farrugia).
Race 6: Malta-Finland International Race, Kiton de Bouere (Darren Mizzi).
Race 7: Premier, Mon Daniel (James Carabott).
Race 8: Silver, Ouragan de Valsoiz (Emmanuel Garzia).