Kimberley Downs, mounted by Michael Sultana, won yesterday’s major event at Marsa, the Johnnie Walker Cup final for flat horses on a long distance of 2,250m.
The final was included in the 43rd meeting of the season that was made up of ten races.
Five horses took part in the Johnnie Walker Cup race.
It was Alto Monte (Demis Zammit) the first out of the gates, opening a marginal lead over Ollie Fliptrik (Sarah Borg) and Kimberley Downs. Alto Monte soon had to retire from the race and it was Ollie Fliptrik which went in front.
Then, midway through the distance, Sultana stormed ahead with Kimberley Downs.
This American horse continued to run untroubled until the finish line where it notched its third win in a row and a fourth of the year, some ten lengths in front of Timolin (Charles Pace).
Friarscourt (Matthew Mallia) and Ollie Fliptrik claimed the other top four positions.
At the end of the final, Alfred Braddick, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the Johnny Walker Cup to Sultana and Jonathan Borg, co-owners of the winning horse.
The card also included a Premier Class race on a short distance of 2,140m.
Mars (Noel Baldacchino) started to slow its pace when the horses approached the final straight.
Mars was overtaken by favourite Orcas Bac (Charles Camilleri) which had to go all out in the final metres to stave off the challenge of Okiliabo (Julian Farrugia) before sealing its fifth win of the season.
Swedish newcomer Cloria Victis (Darren Mizzi) and Ohime Mag (Ronald Cassar) followed home in that order.
In the only Gold Class race of the day, early leader Chippen Bob (Clint Vassallo) was disqualified some 250m away from the post for changing pace.
That paved the way for Zandina Boshoeve (Rodney Gatt) to surge clear of the field and triumph by more than three lengths from Reado November (Shawn Portelli) and Charm Hammering (Gilbert Farrugia).
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Copper – Libre Echange (Michael Ellul) – 1.18.1”
Race 2. Copper – Louise Wood (Julian Farrugia) – 1.17.9”
Race 3. Bronze – Andri Boko (Tony Demanuele) – 1.16.7”
Race 4. Silver – Matador Knick (Carmelo Farrugia) – 1.15.3”
Race 5. Gold – Zandina Boshoeve (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.4”
Race 6. Bronze – Maiden Flash (Josef Farrugia) – 1.18.3”
Race 7. Premier – Orcas Bac (Charles Camilleri) – 1.14.9”
Race 8. Silver – Command Coger (Carmelo Farrugia) – 1.16.7”
Race 9. Flat – Kimberley Downs (Michael Sultana) – 2.19.2”
Race 10. Silver – Bugatti Wulvennest (Julian Farrugia) – 1.16.4”