Phenix De La Roque won the major event on the card at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday as the French 11-year-old trotter won the Assikura Championship final for Gold Class which was held over a short distance of 2,140m.
The race formed part of the ninth meeting of the season made up of ten races all for trotters.
Eight horses lined up for the final.
Phenix De La Roque, under the guidance of Charles Degiorgio, stormed ahead in the early stages, opening a length’s lead from Prince Gaillard (Charles Camilleri) and Quintet (Brian Zammit).
Phenix De La Roque was always in front but in the final metres it had to go all the way to stave off the challenge from Oeillet De Phens (Rodney Gatt). Quintet and Prince Gaillard followed behind in that order.
At the end of the race, Andrew Grech, on behalf of the sponsors, presented a trophy to the owners of the winning horse and driver Degiorgio.
The card also included two semi-final races from the Assikura Championship for Bronze Class and a Premier Class race on a long distance of 2,640m.
In the first semi-final, early leader Willesden Hanover (Wayne Farrugia) ran out of steam midway through the straight and was overtaken by Danish mare Pema (Charles Farrugia).
Pema secured its first win of the year with Obscur De Busset (Shawn Portelli), Julian Port (Rodney Gatt) and Queops De Retz (Emmanuel Fenech) also qualifying for the final.
In the other semi-final, Take Out Blue (Paul Galea) upped its pace with a lap to go to register its first win of the year, more than two lengths ahead of Quero Des Erablais (Frenċu Cassar) and Kaki De Peyrahout (Charles Farrugia).
Wilma Belize (Noel Baldac-chino) and Quingen de Bussy (Brian Hili) were fourth and fifth respectively.
In the Premier race, Cloria Victis (Charles Degiorgio) also chalked up its first win at Marsa.
This Swedish ten-year-old trotter led all the way to prevail by more than two lengths from French newcomer Petunia Du Pont (Rodney Gatt). Tap Dance (Michael Ellul) and True Q (Shawn Portelli) followed home in that order.
Another meeting at Marsa will be held on Wednesday afternoon.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Silver. Paolin De Bannes (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.1”
Race 2. Bronze. Pema (Charles Farrugia) – 1.17.4”
Race 3. Bronze. Take Out Blue (Paul Galea) – 1.16.9”
Race 4. Silver Class. Quid De La Muette (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.9”
Race 5. Silver. Rocky De Jervi (Jeffrey Said) – 1.16.1”
Race 6. Silver. Obelix Molgard (Salvu Vella) – 1.17.1”
Race 7. Gold. Phenix De La Roque (Charles Degiorgio) – 1.15.1”
Race 8. Silver. Valles Emile (Mario Borg) – 1.16.3”
Race 9. Premier. Cloria Victis (Charles Degiorgio) – 1.15.4”
Race 10. Gold. Quiz Du Lys (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.2”