The Malta Racing Club yesterday hosted the 45th meeting of the season which consisted of 11 heats from three different cham-pionships.
The most-awaited races on the card were from the Prix D’Enghien Championship, open for Gold Class trotters, held on a long distance of 2,640m. From these heats, 22 horses qualified for the semi-finals.
In the first heat, Pitchpin Des Bois (Keith Grima) led all the way and crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Prince Gaillard (Charles Camilleri) to secure its third win in Malta.
French newcomer Rapide Du Matin (David Ellul), Nacarat Cambell (Rodney Gatt) and Pepito Flash (Julian Farrugia) also qualified for the next stage.
Quel Noir (Clint Vassallo) stormed clear of the field around 600m from the end of the second Gold Class heat.
This French nine-year-old trotter cruised to its first victory at Marsa and triumphed by half a length from Pan Des Couperies (Charles Camilleri) and Quid De La Muette (Mark Desira). Orage du Pont (Julian Farrugia) and Niky Du Donjon (Joe Vella) also progressed.
There was a keen tussle between Onyx Lucernais (Jason Cordina) and Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul) in the final straight of the third Gold Class heat. It was the former which registered its third win of the year.
Produit Fier (Emmanuel Fenech), Orion De Chapeau (Chris Vassallo) and Oolong (Noel Baldacchino) finished in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.
In the remaining Gold Class heat, debutante Reader JYL (Charles Camilleri) upped its pace midway through the final straight and cruised to its first win at Marsa ahead of Olympien Major (Anthony Spagnol), Phenix De La Roque (Noel Baldacchino) and Nophenio de Lune (Charles Farrugia).
Oeillet De Phens (Rodney Gatt) was the other horse to qualify for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Angelo Cassar, owner of Swedish horse Orcas Bac was yesterday presented with a commemorative plaque.
During a meeting held on the October 13, Orcas Bac had established a new national record on a short distance of 2,140m, clocking an average time of 1.13.4” per kilometre.
Another meeting consisting of eight races was held on Friday evening.
This programme included two regular Premier Class races on 2,140m.
In the first Premier Class race, Italian newcomer Madam Di Poggio (Julian Farrugia) started to slow down midway through the final straight and was overtaken by Absolut Spender (Mark Desira) which took its fourth win of the season.
Orion Du Vaumicel (Frenċu Cassar) and Ygor Of Pass (Tony Demanuele) followed behind.
Shakira Trot (Rodney Gatt) profited from the disqualification of Start Brodde (Christian Xerri) in the last few metres of the second class Premier race to register its third win of the year in front of Vanmaker Limburgia (Charles Camilleri).
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer Heat, Class Bronze – Kaki de Peyrahout (Charles Farrugia) 1.18.6”.
Race 2: Prix d’Enghien Heat, Class Gold – Pitchpin Des Bois (Keith Grima) 1.15.7”.
Race 3: Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer Heat, Class Bronze – Poete De La Sarthe (Kurt Saliba) 1.18.2”.
Race 4: Prix d’Enghien Heat, Class Gold – Quel Noir (Clint Vassallo) 1.17.3”.
Race 5: Prix de Cabourg Heat, Class Silver – Pared An Hoel (Ivan Bilocca) 1.16.9”.
Race 6: Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer Heat, Class Bronze – Quo Vadis Phedo (Cliferty Calleja) 1.17.6”.
Race 7: Prix d’Enghien Heat. Class Gold – Onyx Lucernais (Jason Cordina) – 1.15.9”.
Race 8: Prix de Cabourg Heat, Class Silver – Pactolgo (Andrew Farrugia) – 1.17”.
Race 9: Prix d’Enghien Heat, Class Gold – 1. Reader JYL (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.6”.
Race 10: Prix de Cabourg Heat, Class Silver – Quarborandum (Philip Calleja) – 1.17.4”.
Race 11: Prix de Cabourg Heat, Class Silver – Quozak Prior (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.8”.