The highlight of yesterday’s programme at the Marsa racetrack was a heat from the Mediterranean Championship for drivers. This heat was held on a short distance of 2,140m and formed part of the second spring meeting, made up of seven races all for trotters.

Malta was represented by veteran driver Raymond Clifton who won this heat thanks to the good performance of Polytain.

Charles Camilleri finished the best driver with four wins.

Clifton was up against Jean Paul Fasquelle (France), Olga Bonar (Ukraine), Dusan Zorko (Slovenia), Vladimir Matusevich (Russia) and Attilio Golia (Italy) who all drove Maltese-owned horses.

Clifton, driving Polytain, was in charge early on and opened a length lead from Petit Veinard (Attilio Golia) and Wonderofyou (Dusan Zorko).

Towards the end, Polytain was overtaken for a few metres by Petit Veinard but the French trotter quickly regained the lead to cross the line first and claim its first win in Malta.

Wonderofyou and Syllabub (Olga Bondar) placed third and fourth respectively.

Yesterday’s card included also two class Premier races on a long distance of 2,640m.

In the first race, French Nomade de Mai (Charles Camilleri) led all the way and finished first by a length from Nuper (Andrew Farrugia).

For Nomade de Mai this was its second victory of the season.

Count Of Life (Charles Camilleri) surged ahead 200m from the finishing line of the second Premier race and managed to take its second win of the year from Utah Hornline (Julian Farrugia).

Another programme will be held at Marsa this afternoon. The highlight of the eight-race programme is the Tazza l-Kbira final. The first race starts at 2 p.m.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Bronze, Notre Joyeux (C. Camilleri).
Race 2: Silver, Magnum (F. Gauci).
Race 3: Premier, Nomade de Mai (C. Camilleri).
Race 4: Gold, Paradis du Lupin (R. Briffa).
Race 5: Premier, Count Of Life (C. Camilleri).
Race 6: Med. Championship, Polytain (R. Clifton).
Race 7: Silver, Soren Sufflor (C. Camilleri).