Ripsos De Fa, driven by Ivan Bilocca, won yesterday’s main event at the Marsa racetrack – a Premier Class race on a short distance of 2,140m.

The early leader was Nico Oland (Julian Farrugia) as 16 horses started the Premier Race.

However, the early pacesetter ran out of steam midway through the final straight and it was overtaken by favourite Ripsos De Fa which sealed its fourth win in a row. Quad Censerie (Noel Baldacchino) was second ahead of Ourselves (Rodney Gatt) and Perceval (Michael Sultana) as Nico Oland did not even manage to place in the top four.

Ripsos De Fa clocked an average time of 1.15.4” per kilometre on its way to victory.

Yesterday’s card also included four heats from the new Krafft Championship for Silver Class. Sixteen trotters qualified for the semi-final stage.

In the first heat, Rocky Composite (Marius Borg) was first past the post in front of Rocky Silvio (Redent Magro).

However, race stewards then reviewed the race and the win was awarded to Rocky Silvio instead. Rocky Composite was classified second with Saphir Du Meleuc (Julian Farrugia) and Notre Joyeux (Charles Camilleri) following home in that order.

A close finish between Command Coger (Carmelo Farrugia) and Zizazimoko (Tony De-manuele) developed in the final metres of the next heat.

At the post, it was Dutch mare Zizazimoko which secured its first win of the season after the photo-finish was consulted by the judges.

Ravageur De Payre (Carl Caruana) and Quazoumax (Andrew Farrugia) also qualified to the semis.

Favourite Orlando Tejy (Noel Baldacchino) then gained its third consecutive win as this French veteran increased its speed with 300m to go to stave off the challenge of Rex Rose (Patrick Spiteri).

Wonderofyou (Julian Farrugia) produced a strong burst in the final metres of the remaining Silver heat for its second win of the season.

Reflexe De Crennes (Redent Magro) was the runner-up.

The winning trotters at Marsa

Race 1: Copper – Voila Dry (Ivan Bilocca) – 1.18”
Race 2: Bronze – Lajos Bellan (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.18.6”
Race 3: Bronze – Una Amosa (Tony Demanuele) – 1.17.6”
Race 4: Silver – Rocky Silvio (Redent Magro) – 1.18.1”
Race 5: Silver – Zizazimoko (Tony Demanuele) – 1.17”
Race 6: Silver – Orlando Tejy (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.6”
Race 7: Premier – Ripsos De Fa (Ivan Bilocca) – 1.15.4”
Race 8: Silver – Wonderofyou (Julian Farrugia) – 1.17.7”

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