Indian Attack and Boston Harbor prevailed in yesterday’s major events, the Assikura Championship finals for horses which were not bred in France and Sweden.
These two races, run on the short distance of 2,140m, formed part of the 20th meeting of the season. It was made up of seven races.
The Assikura final for Premier, Gold and Silver class trotters was contested by nine horses. It was Obi Wan Kenobi (George Attard) who made the fastest start, opening a length lead from Arifant (Michael Ellul) and Socrates (James Briffa).
But, Obi Wan Kenobi began to slow down midway through the final straight. This German horse was overtaken by Indian Attack (Noel Baldacchino) which went on to register its second consecutive win and the third of the season from Count Of Life (Charles Camilleri). Baronello (Jason Vassallo) finished in third place.
The winner clocked an average time of 1.16.5” per kilometre. At the end of the race, Matthew Brincat, the chairman of the Malta Racing Club, presented the trophy to Baldacchino and the owners of Indian Attack.
Ten trotters lined up for the final for horses from the Bronze and Copper categories. Attard put American horse Boston Harbor, the pre-race favourite, in front with a lap to go and this horse stayed in front to claim its third win in a row by 10 lengths from Lazume Simoni (Baldacchino). Divinis (Charles Magro) and Great Line (Tony Demanuele) were third and fourth respectively.
A delighted George Attard and his brother Disma, driver and owner of the winning horse respectively, received the trophy from Dr Brincat after the race. Boston Harbor clocked an average time of 1.17.6” per kilometre.
Yesterday’s card also included two flat races. In the first one, favourite Ollie Fliptrik, mounted by Sarah Borg, was first out of the blocks. This American horse led all the way to obtain its third win of the season by half-a-length from Life Is Now (Oliver Briffa).
Nuage de la Tour (Ramon Grima) and Genievre (Charles Pace) had to settle for third and fourth places respectively.
Another American horse, Kimberley Downs (Michael Sultana), gained its second win on our islands in the second flat race. This horse increased its speed 500m from the finish line and triumphed from Nikos Heriniere (Oliver Briffa), Joliminoi (Charles Pace) and Just The Best (Ramon Grima).
Another racing programme will be held on Friday evening. This will consist of seven races, all for trotters. The first race, for Copper class horses, starts at 7 p.m.
Winners at Marsa
Race 1: Copper, Kansas de Chenu (Joseph Bartolo) – 1.22”.
Race 2: Bronze, Moustique Rose (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.20.9”.
Race 3: Flat, Ollie Fliptrik (Sarah Borg) – 1.49.2”.
Race 4: Assikura Championship final (Bronze and Copper), Boston Harbor (George Attard) 1.17.6”.
Race 5: Copper, Hawkear (Rodney Gatt) – 1.20”.
Race 6: Assikura Championship final (Premier, Gold and Silver), Indian Attack (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.5”
Race 7: Flat, Kimberley Downs (Michael Sultana) – 1.49.8”.