Zalgado Transs R grabbed its first victory at the Marsa racetrack after taking the honours in the Premier class race during yesterday’s third meeting of the season.
In another highly-anticipated race, Pearl Storm dashed to victory in the only flat race in programme, held on the long distance of 1,750 metres.
Playboy C.H. (Anton Pace) stormed ahead in the initial stages of the Premier class race.
The Danish seven-year-old trotter opened a length and a half lead over Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul) and Phenix De La Roque (Noel Baldacchino).
With a lap to go, Playboy C.H. ran out of steam and was overtaken by Zalgado Transs R driven by Nicholas Bonello.
Zalgado Transs R held off the challenge of Zandina Boshoeve (Rodney Gatt) and Midnight Passion (Eric Bezzina) to seal victory.
Quelino d’Amour (Mario Fenech) finished fourth.
For Bonello this was his first win of his career.
Five horses were on the starting blocks of the flat race. American newcomer Safari Storm (Charles Vella) was first out of the blocks and during the first metres this five-year-old opened a half length lead from Irish debutante Pearl Storm (Michael Sultana).
Around 300m from the end, Safari Storm started to slow down and in the final straight it was overtaken by Pearl Storm which secured its first win in Malta.
Timolin (Jean Paul Caruana) ended third.
Yesterday’s card included also two races for class Gold trotters.
In the first class Gold race, favourite Paleo Des Cascades upped its pace 400m from the finishing line and took its second win in a row from Premier Avril (Herman Mc Kay).
Olry Meslois (Emmanuel Fenech) and Carnegie Hall (Darren Mizzi) completed the top four.
French newcomer Quid D’Aliermont (Philip Calleja) and Ouest Mabon (Shawn Portelli) sprinted neck and neck in the final straight of the second class Gold race.
The former gained its first win in Malta with Malewe (Noel Baldacchino) and No Comprendo (Andrew Farrugia) ending respectively in third and fourth place.
During yesterday’s meeting, young driver Ronald Cassar was honoured as the best driver for December.
In December, Cassar won four races in the top category with Ohime Mag, including the semi final and final of the Prix de Vincennes.
The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 1.30pm.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Class Bronze – Qumran De La Motte (Frencu Cassar) – 1.18.9”
Race 2: Class Bronze – Navaroso de Khepri (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.18.4”
Race 3: Class Flat – Pearl Storm (Michael Sultana) – 1.46.3”
Race 4: Class Silver – Qurieux Du Ponchet (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.7”
Race 5: Class Gold – Paleo Des Cascades (Redent Magro) – 1.15.1”
Race 6: Class Silver – Lacoste IT (Eric Bezzina) – 1.17.1”
Race 7: Class Premier – Zalgado Transs R (Nicholas Bonello) – 1.15.9”
Race 8: Class Bronz – Quid De Belle Vue (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.17.4”
Race 9: Class Gold – Quid D’Aliermont (Philip Calleja) – 1.17.9”