French eleven-year-old Pout De Quelaines won yesterday’s major event, the St Francis Cup final for class Copper trotters on a short distance of 2,140m.
This final formed part of the 21st meeting of the season made up of eleven races all for trotters, including one from the Premier class held on a short distance at the Marsa racetrack.
Twelve horses took part in the class Copper final.
It was The Womanizer (Rodney Gatt) the fastest horse in the early stages. During the first metres, this Swedish trotter opened a half length lead from Boshoeve Emily (Charles Camilleri) and Esmeralda Run (Redent Magro).
The Womanizer was unchallenged for most of the distance, but midway through the final straight this trotter ran out of steam and got outsmarted by Pout De Quelaines (Kerstin Galea) which registered its second win in a row from Ocean Gede (Mario Fenech).
Icare De Jemma (Tony Dema-nuele) completed the top four order.
After the final, Fr Mario Attard OFM and Dr Matthew Brincat, MRC chairman, presented the winning shield to David Galea and Kerstin Galea, owner and driver of the winning horse respectively.
In the Premier class race there was a close finish between Midnight Passion (Eric Bezzina) and Zandina Boshoeve (Rodney Gatt).
The photofinish had to be consulted to declare a winner and the racing stewards handed the win to Zandina Boshoeve.
Ego Sanna (David Ellul) and Original Blue (Chris Cassar) ended respectively in third and fourth place.
For Zandina Boshoeve this was its third win in a row and the fourth of the year.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Friday, with first race scheduled for 6.30pm.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Class Copper, 1,640m – Owens Kin (Shaun Portelli) – 1.16.3”
Race 2. Class Bronze, 2,140m – Victory Pointer (Charles Camilleri) – 1.17.1”
Race 3. Class Copper, 1,640m – Rybo Celion (Mark Bonnici) – 1.16.1”
Race 4. Class Bronze, 2,140m – Grace Party (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.3”
Race 5. Class Silver, 2,140m – Purple Hall (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.9”
Race 6. Class Silver, 2,140m – Claudine (Gilbert Farrugia) – 1.16.5”
Race 7. Class Gold, 2,140m – P.A. Surprise (Lorraine Cunningham) – 1.14.8”
Race 8. St Francis Championship final, Class Copper, 2,140m – Pout De Quelaines (Kerstin Galea) – 1.18.4”
Race 9. Class Gold, 2,140m – Lost Photo (Herman McKay) – 1.15.9”
Race 10. Class Premier, 2,140m – Zandina Boshoeve (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.7”
Race 11. Class Silver, 2,140m – Zizazimoko (Tony Demanuele) – 1.16.9”