Yesterday’s 19th meeting of the season at the Marsa Racetrack heralded the start of the Skyparks Championship which is open for Swedish trotters from the Silver class only.
All four heats were held on a short distance of 2,140m as the programme also included two races from the Premier category.
Thirteen horses took part in the first Premier race.
Here, Label Chouan (David Ellul) claimed its third win of the season. This French 13-year-old was promoted to first place following the disqualification of Max d’Avignere (Darren Mizzi) which had changed pace some 250m from the end.
Nuper (Andrew Farrugia) was the runner-up ahead of Mica Bonero (David Galea) and Troy Boshoeve (Salvu Vella).
Nevaio des Bordes (Julian Farrugia) increased its speed with a lap to go in the other Premier race of the afternoon.
This trotter from France went on to secure its first win at Marsa less than a length ahead of Natieu d’Echal (Noel Baldacchino).
Count of Life (Michael Ellul) was third and favourite Nasko Pride (Christian Xerri) fourth.
Meanwhile, 20 horses qualified for the semi-final stage of the Skyparks Championship.
In the first heat, Ironbar (Julian Farrugia) started to slow down midway through the final straight and was overtaken by Robin Lou (Michael Ellul) which registered its fifth win of the season ahead of Bankir Zon (Clint Vassallo), Victory Toll (Charles Camilleri), Rambo Lambo (Claudio Refalo).
Victory Farming (Shaun Portelli) dashed strongly from the outside 400m from the end of the second heat.
This horse triumphed by around five lengths from Borups Hero (Darren Mizzi), Zerbin (Sam Cassar), Simb Groovy (Clint Vassallo) and Cross Country FC (Marco Debono).
In the next heat, Delvin Brodde (Julian Farrugia) sprinted ahead 200m away from the post for its maiden win in Malta.
Stanford Hornline (Anton Pace), West Life (Charles Camilleri), Race Ball (Tony Demanuele) and Arctic Tooma (Mario Farrugia) also qualified.
Soren Sufflor (Rodney Gatt) and Notice As (Carl Caruana) sprinted neck and neck in the final metres of the other championship racet. The former gained its second win in a row with Surprise Lania (Charles Camilleri), Charlie Smit (Frenċu Cassar) and Sweep the Floor (Julian Farrugia) being the last horses to qualify.
Yesterday’s packed programme also included a flat race on a short distance of 1,250m.
In this race, English mare Mayfair Princess, mounted by Ramon Grima, took the lead with around 600m left and easily secured its first win of the season. Buttermilk (Eric Zammit) was second and Hollymac (Charles Vella) third.
Also yesterday, Charles Camilleri was awarded with a special prize as the best driver for March. In fact, last month Camilleri won no fewer than ten races. Club official Joe Zerafa and Gorg Axisa, on behalf of Anthony Axisa and Sons, presented the trophy to Camilleri.
The next meeting will be held on Friday evening.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Mercure Qui Sait (Omar Cauchi).
Race 2: Copper, Larissa du Breil (Cliferty Calleja).
Race 3: Bronze, Lazume Simoni (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 4: Flat, Mayfair Princess (Ramon Grima).
Race 5: Silver, Robin Lou (Michael Ellul).
Race 6: Silver, Victory Farming (Shaun Portelli).
Race 7: Silver, Delvin Brodde (Julian Farrugia).
Race 8: Premier, Label Chouan (David Ellul).
Race 9: Silver, Soren Sufflor (Rodney Gatt).
Race 10: Premier, Nevaio des Bordes (Julian Farrugia).
Race 11: Gold, L’As de Seuilly (Charles Debono).