Livi Cantona won the major race in yesterday’s programme at the Marsa Racetrack after the seven-year-old Swedish trotter staved off the challenge from nine other Premier Class horses in the President’s Cup final, held over a long distance of 2,640m.
The final formed part of the 58th meeting of the season made up of eight races.
True Q (Shawn Portelli) was the fastest horse in the initial stages.
But after the first 1,500m the front-runner was first overtaken by Nec Carmolo (Noel Baldacchino) and then by Flash Coger (Julian Farrugia).
The pace in the last 500m metres was frenetic with Livi Cantona (Charles Camilleri) dashing strongly from the outside for its eighth win of the season. Malin Roro (Clint Vassallo) was second ahead of Arnie Sensation (Carmelo Farrugia) and Nec Carmolo.
At the end of the race, the President of Malta, George Abela, presented the cup to Charles Camilleri and Messrs Calleja, the owners of the winning horse.
Livi Cantona clocked an average time of 1.15.7” per kilometre.
Earlier, there was a keen tussle between two horses in the final metres of the only Monte race on the card.
It was Sir De Landerije (Eric Zammit) which eventually claimed the honours from Lime Casted (Michael Sultana). Max Galbe (John Farrugia) and Absolut Chili (Ramon Grima) were third and fourth respectively.
Early leader, Touch the Diamond (David Ellul), started to slow down 400m from the finish of the Gold Class race.
Big Hit (Charlo Debono) was hitting the ground fast and charged to the lead, going on to secure its third win of the year from Bill Boing (Carmelo Farrugia), Stefan Sufflor (Anthony Bartolo) and Iris du Louvet (Julian Farrugia).
Yesterday’s card also included two races for Silver Class.
In the first, Orage d’Urzy (Noel Baldacchino) increased its pace with a lap to go and finished ahead of Nerlo Villetot (Julian Farrugia), C.J. Blueeyedkissed (Chris Vassallo) and Stainless Steel (Charles Camilleri).
Kiton de Bouere (Darren Mizzi) stormed clear of the field with 200 metres left of the other Silver Class race.
However, this French horse was disqualified after changing pace in the final metres of the race.
The win was awarded to My Danover (Christian Xerri) with Swedish newcomers Mint Condition (Jason Vassallo) and Dansoor Pellini (Kevin Mifsud) coming home second and third respectively ahead of Geronimos Cadillac (Shawn Axisa).
Another programme of races will be held on Sunday.
This card will include five finals from the SECF Championships for French trotters.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Trick the Lind (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 2: Bronze, King de Bourdenay (Charles Camilleri).
Race 3: Silver, Orage d’Urzy (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 4: Gold, Big Hit (Charlo Debono).
Race 5: Monte, Sir de Landerije (Eric Zammit).
Race 6: Silver, My Danover (Christian Xerri).
Race 7: President’s Cup, Livi Cantona (Charles Camilleri).
Race 8: Bronze, Rally Simb (James Briffa).