Driven by its owner Johann Axisa, French trotter Kakisis yesterday won the major event at the Marsa Racetrack – the VOB Grand Final for Premier Class on a long distance of 2,640m.

The final, part of the 60th and last meeting for 2012, was contested by the 12 horses with the highest placing in the President’s Cup and Prix de Vincennes championship.

The most consistent horse of the season, Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele), stormed ahead in the initial stages of the final, opening a half-length’s lead from Milord Barbes (Frenċu Cassar).

With some 500 metres to go, the early pace-setters ran out of steam with Kakisis and Nabab du Chatelet (Charles Camilleri) hitting the front.

In the straight for home, Kakisis was unchallenged, going on to win by three lengths from Nabab du Chatelet.

Oltedo de Rieux (Julian Farrugia) and Shakira Trot (Jesmar Gafa) claimed the other top-four positions.

At the end of the final, Patrick Cachia, on behalf of the racetrack bookmakers, presented the VOB trophy to Axisa in the presence of Matthew Brincat, the racing club’s chairman.

Kakisis, a veteran French trotter, secured its second win of the year in an impressive average time of 1.14.9” per kilometre.

The card yesterday also included a race for Gold trotters and five special events in which horses were driven by their owners.

In the Gold race, favourite Orage du Pont (Charles Camilleri) upped its pace from the outside with 400 metres remaining and reached the finish line untroubled.

This French trotter was a comfortable winner, three lengths ahead of Petrus du Vivier (Mark Desira).

Meanwhile, the Malta Racing Club yesterday honoured Noel Baldacchino who was named best driver of the month.

Other end-of-season awards were handed out to the owners of pony Supremo As and trotter Goldbowler for obtaining the best results in races staged at the Marsa Training Complex throughout 2012.

The new season starts with the first meeting for 2013 on Sunday, January 20.

Winners at the racetrack

Race 1: Bronze class, Ackaturbo (Shawn Portelli) 1.17.2”
Race 2: Silver, Big Hit (Charlo Debono) 1.17.3”
Race 3: Bronze, Marchallach (Rodney Gatt) 1.17.5”
Race 4: Copper, Brokkur TYC (Peter Farrugia) 1.18.6”
Race 5: Bronze, Owens Kin (Etienne Carabott) 1.17.7”
Race 6: Silver, Law Suit (Joseph Agius) 1.17.5”
Race 7: Silver, Lion McGuire (Glen Farrugia) 1.17.9”
Race 8: Gold, Niky du Donjon (Joe Vella) 1.17.5”
Race 9: Premier, Kakisis (Johann Axisa) 1.14.9”
Race 10: Silver, Ogor (Frenċu Cassar) 1.17”
Race 11: Gold, Orage du Pont (Charles Camilleri) 1.16.1”
Race 12: Silver, Daring Daylight (Charles Camilleri) 1.17.4”

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