As expected, the three heats from the President’s Cup championship for Premier Class trotters, all held over a long distance of 2,640m, were the main attraction at yesterday’s 54th meeting of the season at Marsa.
Nine horses qualified for the Cup final following yesterday’s races.
In the first heat of the afternoon, Maximal Value (James Briffa) began to lose pace midway through the final straight and surrendered its lead to Mystere d’Urfist (Rodney Gatt) which gained its first win of the season from Wiss Night Hawk (Jeffrey Said).
Nophenio de Lune (Michael Ellul) was fourth. Mystere d’Urfist clocked an average time of 1.16” per kilometre.
A keen tussle developed in the second Premier race.
It was Kakisis (Johan Axisa) that nosed ahead a few metres from home and notched its first win of the year from Shakira Trot (Charles Camilleri), Power Night Star (Rodney Gatt) and True Q (Shaun Portelli).
Kakisis had an average time of 1.17.6” per kilometre.
The other heat saw Mont Cenis Honey (Noel Baldacchino) run-ning out of steam midway through the straight for home.
Mont Cenis Honey was overtaken by Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele) which registered its seventh win of the season. Troy Boshoeve (Salvu Vella) also progressed to the final along with Versace Boko (Warren Spiteri).
Zilver Boko clocked an average time of 1.16” per kilometre. Thanks to this result, Zilver Boko will certainly be declared the most consistent horse of the year.
Yesterday’s card also included two races for Gold category trotters.
Natif de l’Hommee (Reuben Galea) took the lead a lap from the finish in the first Gold race in programme and continued to run untroubled before securing its third win, two lengths ahead of Paleo de la Dives (Sam Cassar).
American Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri) had to go all out in the final metres of the other Gold race to secure its first win at the racetrack. Key Value (Marco Tanti), Milton Malhis (Julian Farrugia) and Jerry Eme (Noel Baldacchino) followed home in that order.
Meanwhile, young Redent Magro was awarded a memento yesterday after being named as the best driver at the Marsa racetrack in October.
Last month, Magro won five major races and his successes included two Condition race finals with Netter Williams and Esmeralda Run.
Winners at the racetrack...
Race 1: Bronze, Ariane A (Tony Demanuele) – 1.17.7”
Race 2: Silver, Schejken Bill (Christian Xerri) – 1.16.8”
Race 3: Silver, Darco As (Marco Tanti) – 1.17.1”
Race 4: Gold, Natif de l’Hommee (Reuben Galea) – 1.16.4”
Race 5: Premier, Mystere d’Urfist (Rodney Gatt) - 1.16”
Race 6: Silver, Cross Country FC (Marco Debono) – 1.17.1”
Race 7: Premier, Kakisis (Johan Axisa) – 1.17.6”
Race 8: Gold, Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16.4”
Race 9: Premier, Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele) – 1.16”
Race 10: Silver, Kapro Wareco (Mario Fenech) – 1.16.8”