Lady de Vindecy, the 13-year-old mare, won the major race in yesterday’s meeting at Marsa, the Prix de Vincennes Championship for French Premier Class trotters.
The race formed part of the 33rd meeting that was made up of seven trotting events, five of which finals for French trotters.
The championships were organised by the Malta Racing Cub with the financial support of the France’s Societe’ du Cheval Francais (SECF).
The Premier race was contested between nine trotters.
Milord Barbes (Frenċu Cassar) was the fastest horse in the early stages going in front and ahead of Lady de Vindecy (Julian Farrugia) and Label Chouan (David Ellul).
The pace became frenetic with only 300 metres left as Lady de Vindecy shot in front and went on to register its second consecutive win with Mig of the Wood (Noel Baldacchino) second and Milord Barbes third ahead of Nevaio des Bordes (Claudio Refalo).
At the end of the race, French Ambassador to Malta Michel van der Poorter, in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli and Benoit Fabrega, SECF official, presented the trophies to the owners and driver of the winning horse.
Baldacchino’s day
A keen tussle involving three trotters developed in the final metres of the Prix d’Enghien final for Gold Class trotters.
It was Nuevo Musette (Noel Baldacchino) that eventually lived up to expectations by cruising to its second consecutive win, just ahead of Marini du Mont (Salvu Vella) and Oscar Mati (Rodney Gatt).
Baldacchino also succeeded in making the winners’ podium in the Prix de Cabourg final for Silver trotters.
Ollico Pellois, with Baldacchino in the sulky, was unchallenged for most of the distance and met no particular trouble to secure victory and stave off the late rally from Oregon de la Foret (Joe Schembri).
Pascal d’Ablon (Ramon Briffa) and Petrus du Vivier (Mark Desira) claimed the other top-four positions.
Nympheta de Bisoir (Jonathan Farrugia) led all the way in the Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer final for Bronze trotters.
This 11-year-old mare secured its first win of the season by a half-length from November Oaks (Michael Ellul).
It’s My Way (Brian Hili) and Notre Joyeux (Charles Camilleri) followed in that order.
The Prix de Caen final for Copper trotters was won by Icare de Jemma (Tony Demanuele), cruising past the post some ten lengths ahead of Jibilo du Terme (Ramon Briffa).
Another racing programme at the racetrack will be held on Friday evening.
The winners
Race 1: Bronze, Syllabub (Rodney Gatt) – 1.18.1”
Race 2: Copper, Icare de Jemma (Tony Demanuele) – 1.17”
Race 3: Bronze, Nympheta de Bisoir (Jonathan Farrugia) – 1.16.6”
Race 4: Silver, Ollico Pellois (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.3”
Race 5: Gold, Nuevo Musette (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15”
Race 6: Premier, Lady de Vindecy (Julian Farrugia) – 1.15.3”
Race 7: Silver, Man Quick (Jason Cordina) – 1.16.6”