The highlight of yesterday’s programme at the Marsa Racetrack was the final of the President’s Cup for Premier class trotters on the long distance of 2,640m.
Mont Cenis Honey, driven by Noel Baldacchino, emerged on top in the final which formed part of the 57th meeting of the season, made up of eight trotting races.
Ten horses lined up for the top race. It was Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele) which made the fastest start but, after a few metres, this horse was overtaken by favourite Mars (Rodney Gatt) which opened a half-length lead from Mont Cenis Honey.
Midway through the distance, Baldacchino put Mont Cenis Honey in front and in the final straight, this French trotter had to go all the way to secure its third win of the year from Kakisis (Johan Axisa) and Zilver Boko. Shakira Trot (Charles Camilleri) finished fourth.
At the end of the final, President George Abela presented the trophy to Carmelo Micallef and Noel Baldacchino, owner and driver of the winning horse. Mont Cenis Honey clocked an average time of 1.16.8” per kilometre.
In his post-race comments, Baldacchino said he was delighted at his victory. “Although I’ve won a number of finals in my career, this is my first success in the President’s Cup,” he said.
Yesterday’s card also included three races for Gold class trotters.
Eject (Julian Farrugia) led all the way in the first of these races. This Swedish nine-year-old claimed its first win in Malta by a length from Jerry Eme (Charles Camilleri) and Natif de l’Hommee (Reuben Galea).
L’Ideal de Fersan (Carl Caruana) had to settle for fourth place.
Driving Energy Launcher, Oliver Bonello gained the first win of his career in the second Gold race. Bonello’s horse upped its pace 250m from the finish line to obtain its first win of the season from Natif de Fontaine (Kurt Saliba) and Janitor (Marvin Cauchi). Troubador S (Charles Farrugia) was fourth.
In the third Gold class race, Noble d’Ete (Raymond Clifton) dashed strongly from the outside 700m from the end to record its second win of the season.
The winner finished half-a-length ahead of Reado November (Shawn Portelli) and Ouragan d’Any (Frans Gauci). Nick de Touchyvon (Frenċu Cassar) also had a positive outing.
The programme also featured a race for Shetland ponies. These were driven by children who attend the Horse Racing Academy, established by the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport.
The race was won by City Boy, driven by Kenneth Sammut.
Meanwhile, another racing programme is scheduled for Sunday at the Marsa .
The card includes five finals for French trotters with the first race starting at 1.15pm.
Sultana second in France
Maltese jockey Michael Sultana took part in a race at the Pau racetrack in France yesterday.
Riding four-year-old Dasho, Sultana finished second in the Prix de Badou on a short distance of 1,500m.
The race was won by Felipe El Harmoso, under the guidance of Victor Janacek.
Winners at Marsa
Race 1: Silver, Mint Condition (Joseph Micallef) – 1.18.1”.
Race 2: Silver, Geronimos Cadillac (Shawn Axisa) – 1.18”.
Race 3: Silver, Count Wiesnievski (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.5”.
Race 4: Gold, Eject (Julian Farrugia) – 1.16.7”.
Race 5: Gold, Energy Launcher (Oliver Bonello) – 1.16.1”.
Race 6: Gold, Noble d’Ete (Raymond Clifton) – 1.16”.
Race 7: President’s Cup final, Mont Cenis Honey (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.8”.
Race 8: Bronze, Judon du Cap Vert (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16.9”.