Semi-final wins for Nino de Saintho and Nuage de Bourgogne at Marsa

Nino de Saintho and Nuage de Bourgogne secured victories in yesterday’s Prix de Vincennes semi-finals, a competition open for French trotters from the Premier Class.

These heats, on the long distance of 2,640m, formed part of the 52nd meeting of the season.

Eight trotters booked their place in the final of the Prix de Vincennes yesterday.

In the first semi-final, Nagano Phedo (Mario Fenech) was the fastest horse early on, opening a slight lead from Narval d’Ecajuel (Carmelo Micallef) and Magic de Assigny (Julian Farrugia).

Around 600m from the finish, Nagano Phedo ran out of steam and was overtaken by Nophenio de Lune (Michael Ellul). But the latter changed pace in the final metres and was disqualified, paving the way for Nino de Saintho (Cliferty Calleja) to notch its first win ahead of Magic de Assigny and newcomer Ouest Mabon (Michael Ghigo). Natieu d’Echal (Brian Hili) finished fourth.

The winner clocked an average time of 1.17.7” per kilometre.

Nuage de Bourgogne (Herman McKay) confirmed its status as one of the most consistent horses of the year after cruising to its sixth win of the season in the second Premier semi.

This horse ran untroubled over the 2,640m distance, finishing ahead by a length-and-a-half from Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul), Nabab du Chatelet (Charles Camilleri) and Nono de Crouay (Melvin Farrugia).

Nuage de Bourgogne recorded an average of 1.15.3” per kilometre.

In the first Prix d’Enghien heat for Gold Class trotters, Natif de l’Hommee (Reuben Galea) was unable to keep up the pace with 500m to go and was overhauled by Ozerio (Noel Baldacchino) which secured its third win of the year and second in a row.

Natif de Fontaine (Kurt Saliba) was second ahead of Niky du Donjon (Joe Vella) and Onyx Speed (Christian Xerri).

Orion du Vaumicel (Frenċu Cassar) led all the way in the second Gold heat. This French ten-year-old chalked up its first win of the year by a length from Quebec (Mark Mifsud) and Ouest du Vivier (Cliferty Calleja).

In the third Gold Class heat, Nicos de Peneme (Kevin Azzopardi) dashed strongly from the outside midway through the distance. This horse secured its fourth win of the year from Natif de Salvi (Kurt Saliba), Onyx Lucernais (Jason Cordina) and Oscar des Racques (Clint Vassallo).

Yesterday’s card also included a flat race on the short 1,250m distance.

Here, Little Anthony (Demis Zammit) was first out of the blocks, opening a length lead from Darielli (Ramon Grima) and Cheeky Jack (Charles Vella). However, Little Anthony lost its momentum and Darielli stormed ahead in the final straight to claim its second win of the year. Cheeky Jack was third.

Meanwhile, another programme at the Marsa Racetrack was held on Friday evening.

The most important event was the first semi-final from the Prix de Vincennes championship.

The race produced a close finish between Lady de Vindecy (Julian Farrugia) and Oltedo de Rieux (Noel Baldacchino) which sprinted neck and neck in the last 400 metres. The win was awarded to the latter after the photo-finish was consulted.

Label Chouan (David Ellul) and Milord Barbes (Brian Hili) also made it to the final stage. The winner clocked an average time of 1.16.4” per kilometre.

The next meeting at Marsa will be held on Friday with the first race scheduled for 7 p.m.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Bronze –Nerlo Villetot (Redent Magro) – 1.17.1”.
Race 2: Silver – Prao de Bussy (Ivan Stivala) – 1.17.3”.
Race 3: Silver – Notre Allegro (Michael Ghigo) – 1.16.8”.
Race 4: Gold – Ozerio (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.4”.
Race 5: Flat race – Darielli (Ramon Grima) – 1.14.8”.
Race 6: Gold – Orion du Vaumicel (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.16.1”.
Race 7: Prix de Vincennes semi-final – Nino de Saintho (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.17.7”.
Race 8: Gold – Nicos de Peneme (Kevin Azzopardi) – 1.16.5”.
Race 9: Prix de Vincennes semi-final – Nuage de Bourgogne (Herman McKay) – 1.15.3”.
Race 10: Silver –No Commentary (Mario Falzon) – 1.18.1”.