The highlight in yesterday’s meeting at Marsa, the last for 2011, was the VOB Grand Final for Premier Class.

This race was held over 2,640m. Livi Cantona, under the guidance of Charles Camilleri, dashed home first to victory.

It was True Q (Shawn Portelli) that made the fastest start, opening a length’s lead from Milord Barbes (Charlo Debono) and favourite Mig of the Wood (Noel Baldacchino).

But with a lap to go, Livi Cantona started to increase speed and in the final straight this Swedish seven-year-old dashed strongly from the outside for its ninth win of the season ahead of Joker de Choisel (Frenċu Cassar) and Nevaio des Bordes (George Schembri) in that order.

MRC chairman Matthew Brincat presented trophies to Camilleri and Live Cantona’s owners Alfred and Vince Calleja. Their horse yesterday registered an average time of 1.16.3” per kilometre.

Yesterday’s card also included three heats and a final from the Pavo Feeds event for Gold Class trotters.

The three heats were won by Nacarat Campbell (Rodney Gatt), Vasterbo Hitchiker (Raymond Clifton) and Lime Casted (Charles Camilleri).

The final was held later on in the afternoon and was contested by 12 horses.

Vasterbo Hitchiker opened a half-length’s lead from Dream Leader (David Ellul). But with 400m to go, Vasterbo Hitchiker ran out of steam and was overtaken by eventual winner Nacarat Campbell and Lime Casted (Charles Camilleri).

Degiorgio success

Late Thursday, Charles Degiorgio won one of the main races held at the Mantorp Racetrack in Sweden.

Degiorio, who was assisted by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport, was driving Swedish five-year-old Bamming Star Run.

The race was held in poor weather conditions and transmitted live on Swedish TV.