Danish trotter Knockout Molar and American Prince Regent won the Assikura Championship finals at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday as the eighth meeting of the season, consisting of 11 races, was held.

The Assikura ‘A’ final was contested by ten horses.

Here, it was Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele) that made the fastest start, opening a length’s lead from Darco As (Mark Tanti) and Count of Life (Charles Camilleri).

However Zilver Boko was unable to keep up the pace and 200m from the post it was overtaken by favourite Knockout Molar (Carl Caruana).

Zilver Boko had to settle for third place behind Count of Life with Socrates (James Briffa) finishing fourth.

Nine horses lined up in the Assikura ‘B’ final which saw Belgian Ackaturbo (Peter Paul Said) taking the initiative in the initial stages ahead of Giant Game (Darren Mizzi) and Klokkeblomst (George Attard).

Ackaturbo was then overtaken by Giant Game and with a lap to go it was Klokkeblomst that shot into the lead. But with 400m it was Prince Regent (Tony Demanuele) that went decisively in front to win the race ahead of Giant Game, Hawkear (Rodney Gatt) and Garden Pax (Charles Camilleri).

At the end of both finals, MRC chairman Matthew Brincat presented trophies to the drivers and owners of the winning horses.

Yesterday’s card also included three races from the Premier Class.

In the first, Nec Carmolo (Noel Baldacchino) sprinted ahead of the field with 500m to go and registered its first win of the year, a length in front of French newcomer Nougat Voideen (Oliver Briffa).

There was a keen tussle between four horses midway through the final straight of the second Premier race yesterday.

At the finish line, it was Noble d’Ete (Raymond Clifton) that crossed the line first but this horse was later disqualified and the win awarded to Nono de Crouay (Melvin Farrugia) for its first win at Marsa.

Normand d’Oger (Cliferty Calleja) was elevated to second place.

Nuage de Bourgogne (Charles Camilleri) dashed strongly from the outside 600m from the end of the other Premier race to surprise the rest and register its second win from Milord Barbes (Frenċu Cassar).

Meanwhile, in the only flat race of the day it was Just The Best, mounted by Ramon Grima, that paced the race impeccably for its first win of the season.

Ollie Fliptrik (Oliver Briffa), Capital Hill (Demis Zammit) and Friarscourt (Charles Vella) followed the winner home in that order.

Another programme will be held on Sunday at the racetrack, starting at 1.30 p.m.

The winners
Race 1: Copper, Mistral du Chene (Sandro Cutajar).
Race 2: Bronze, Money Boy (Andrew Spiteri).
Race 3: Premier, Nec Carmolo (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 4: Final, Prince Regent (Tony Demanuele).
Race 5: Flat, Just The Best (Ramon Grima).
Race 6: Bronze, Noe de Loudat (Kevin Sciberras).
Race 7: Premier, Nono de Crouay (Melvin Farrugia).
Race 8: Final, Knockout Molar (Carl Caruana).
Race 9: Gold, Master Lupin (Rodney Gatt).
Race 10: Premier, Nuage de Bourgogne (Charles Camilleri).
Race 11: Bronze, Mac du Boult (Tony Demanuele).