Que Je T’Aime Rush won yesterday’s major event at the Marsa Racetrack – the Krafft Championship final for Silver Class trotters held over a short distance of 2,140 metres.
Eleven horses lined up for the final. Driven by Carl Caruana, Que Je T’Aime Rush looked a serious contender as from the early stages.
The 11-year-old mare was among the leading trotters at the initial stages and opened a length’s lead from Tresor De Quesny (Andrew Farrugia) and Command Coger (Carmelo Farrugia).
Que Je T’Aime Rush never relinquished its position and finished first ahead of Tresor De Quesny.
Udice Boko (Charles Camilleri) was third followed by Rex Rose (Patrick Spiteri).
At the end of the race, Shawn Pete Azzopardi, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the winning trophy to owner Joe Attard and driver Caruana in the presence of Edwin Borg, the Malta Racing Club chairman.
Que Je T’Aime Rush clocked an average time of 1.16” per kilometre on its way to victory.
Yesterday’s card also included a Premier Class race on a mile distance. Eleven horses participated, four of which were also making their debut at the racetrack.
It was one of the newcomers, Swedish mare Angelic Coger (Salvu Vella), that set the early pace, taking the lead from Austrian Blizzard Ad (Frencu Cassar) and another Swe-dish trotter, Veikko Hornline (Julian Farrugia).
However, with 400m to go, Angelic Coger ran out of steam and was reeled in by High Stage (Marco Refalo) which went on to secure its first win at Marsa by a length from Blizzard Ad and Italian Madrileno (Mario Fenech).
French Quintillus (Toni Tanti), another debutant, was fourth.
High Stage’s win was achieved in 1.12.7” per kilometre.
Swedish six-year-old High Stage equalled the record set by Prieure in May last year.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper – Loulou De La Rose (Carl Caruana) – 1.16”
Race 2: Bronze –Pericle (Jonathan Farrugia) – 1.14.5”
Race 3: Silver – Andorra (Brian Zammit) – 1.13.9”
Race 4: Bronze – Royal In (Marco Debono) – 1.13.4”
Race 5: Premier – High Stage (Marco Refalo) – 1.12.7”
Race 6: Silver – Ollico Pellois (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.14.6”
Race 7: Silver Class Krafft Cham-pionship final – Que Je T’Aime Rush (Carl Caruana) – 1.16”
Race 8: Gold – Obelix Molgard (Salvu Vella) – 1.14.1”