Driven by Redent Magro, Nabab du Chatelet won yesterday’s major race at the Marsa racetrack when the sixth meeting of the season, made up of seven all-trotting races, was held.
Noel Baldacchino was the best driver of the afternoon with three wins.
Fourteen horses took part in the Premier Class race which featured four French newcomers. One of these debutants, Nino de Saintho (Frenċu Cassar), was the fastest horse in the initial stages, opening a length’s lead from Normand d’Oger (Cliferty Calleja) and another French newcomer Nabab du Chatelet.
With a lap to go, it was Normand d’Oger which took the lead but this horse was eventually overtaken, some 400m from the post, by Nabab du Chatelet which registered its first win in Malta from Bonus Kall (Shawn Portelli), Nono de Crouay (Melvin Farrugia) and Normand d’Oger.
Nabab du Chatelet clocked an average time of 1.16.7” per kilometre.
In the first Gold Class race of the after-noon, Oscar de la Vallee (Noel Baldacchino) increased its pace during the last 500m and finished a comfortable winner ahead of Frasse Filiokus (Rennie Zammit) as Magnifique Sablais (Julian Farrugia) and Nacarat Campbell (Ronald James) claimed the other top-four positions.
There was a keen tussle between four horses in the final metres of the other Gold race. Here, Ouragan d’Any (Frans Gauci) obtained its first win at Marsa from Max Galbe (Carmelo Agius), Pirate d’Urzy (Eugenio Bondin) and Matador Knick (Carmelo Farrugia).
Yesterday’s card also included two races for trotters in the Silver category.
In the opening Silver race, French Orgeat (N. Baldacchino) surged ahead with 700m to gain its first win of the year.
Olifant du Puoy (Frans Tanti) was second ahead of Super Spot (Charles Camilleri) and Nympheta de Bisoir (Jonathan Farrugia).
Le Bon Mayennais (Cliferty Calleja) led all the way in the other Silver race. This French 13-year-old was also gaining its first win of the season from Notice As (Carl Caruana), Bankir Zon (Clint Vassallo) and Oscar Mati (Rodney Gatt).
Meanwhile, the Malta Racing Club council yesterday remembered the late George Schembri with a symbolic ceremony that was attended by the popular driver’s relatives and fellow drivers at Marsa.
Schembri passed away last Sunday.
Another racing programme, consisting of eight trotting races will be held tomorrow.
The first race starts at 1.30 p.m.
Yesterday’s Winners
Race 1: Copper, Qualou d’Axel (Carmelo Mifsud).
Race 2: Bronze, Owens Kin (Noel Baldac-chino).
Race 3: Silver, Orgeat (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 4: Gold, Oscar de la Vallee (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 5: Silver, Le Bon Mayennais (Cliferty Calleja).
Race 6: Premier, Nabab du Chatelet (Redent Magro).
Race 7: Gold, Ouragan d’Any (Frans Gauci).