The 45th meeting of the season at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday was made up of eight races.

The two most important events on the card were a trotting race for Premier Class trotters, on a short distance of 1,640m, and a flat race on a distance of 1,250m.

These two races were won by Oncle Sam, driven by Clive Gerada, and Timolin, mounted by Ramon Grima.

The Premier race was contested by 14 horses.

Target Player (Carmelo Farrugia) was the fastest horse in the early stages. But midway through the distance, it was Sultan November (Frank Portelli) that shot into the lead only to lose pace with some 250 metres from the finish line.

In came I Pitstop (Tony Demanuele) charging down the final straight and all those present at the racetrack expected this horse to finally seal its first win in Malta.

However, I Pitstop was disqualified for changing pace and victory went to Oncle Sam (Clive Gerada) which cruised to victory ahead of Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul), Nagano Phedo (Mario Fenech) and Sultan November.

Oncle Sam clocked an average time of 1.14” per kilometre.

In the flat race, Marivan (Eric Zammit) was first out of the blocks, opening a half-length’s lead from Privilidged Boy (Michael Sultana) and Timolin (Ramon Grima).

But with 300m to go, Marivan was overtaken by Timolin which secured its first win of the year from English newcomer Four Richer, ridden by Demis Zammit, and Privilidged Boy.

In the only Gold classrace of the afternoon, Italian mare Imbra d’Alfa (Charles Camilleri) was unable to sustain its challenge in the last 200m and got outsmarted by St Andrew LB (Noel Baldacchino) which gained its first win at Marsa.

Quid de la Muette (Mark Desira) and Quipo de Billeron (Andrew Farrugia) followed St Andrew LB home in that order.

The card also included two races for the Silver class.

Baronello (Jason Vassallo) led all the way for its first win of the year to finish ahead of Oural d’Asnois (Patrick Spiteri), Passons d’Ortige (Herman McKay) and Prince du Moutier (Raymond Schembri).

A keen tussle developed between three trotters in the final metres of the other Silver class race.

At the post, it was Lonestar Somolli (Brian Zammit) which took its fourth win on the trot from Lacoste IT (Eric Bezzina). Arctic Tooma (Mario Farrugia) and Nerval du Donjon (Ivan Bilocca) were third and fourth respectively.

Another meeting at Marsa will be held on Friday, starting at 7 p.m.

The winners at Marsa

Race 1: Copper, Ariane A (Tony Demanuele) – 1.14”
Race 2: Bronze, Icare de Jemma (Tony Demanuele) – 1.17”
Race 3: Silver, Baronello (Jason Vassallo) – 1.15.7”
Race 4: Flat, Timolin (Ramon Grima) – 1.14.2”
Race 5: Gold, St Andrew LB (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.14.4”
Race 6: Silver, Lonestar Somolli (Brian Zammit) – 1.15.1”
Race 7: Premier, Oncle Sam (Clive Gerada) – 1.14”
Race 8: Bronze, Mr King (Frans Tanti) – 1.16.7”