French trotter Quartz De Vindecy, driven by owner Carmelo Farrugia, won Friday night’s major event at the racetrack – the Mapfre Middle Sea Insurance final for Premier Class staged on a short distance of 2,140 metres.
The race formed part of the 35th meeting of the year and it was made up of seven races – all for trotters and all finals.
The races brought to an end this year’s Summer Championships organised by the Malta Racing Club.
Eleven trotters lined up for the Premier final.
Wee Catch Diamond (Julian Farrugia) stormed ahead with a lap to go.
However, the nine-year-old German horse suddenly ran out of steam as the front-runners turned for the final straight.
Wee Catch Diamond was eventually reeled in by Quartz De Vindecy before sealing its second consecutive win and its third at Marsa.
Quattro D’Arline (Cliferty Calleja) and Donald Duck Tooma (Charles Camilleri) followed home in that order.
At the end of this final, club chairman Edwin Borg and Keith Mallia Milanes, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the winning trophy to Farrugia and George Borg, the other owner of Quartz De Vindecy.
In the VOB final for Gold Class trotters, favourite High Stage (Marco Refalo) faltered 150 metres from the finishing line, surrendering its lead to the charging Quintet Du Vivier (Charles Camilleri).
The winner went past the post more than two lengths ahead of High Stage as Qurieux Du Ponchet (Noel Baldacchino) and Rainbow Sautonne (Clive Gerada) also obtained a good placing.
Quintet Du Vivier also equalled the record of Orcas Bac on the 2,140m distance when clocking an average of 1.13.4” per kilometre.
The Silver A and Silver B finals were won by Pronger (Claudio Refalo) and outsider Prince Lu (Shaun Portelli) respectively.
The two drivers are Gozitans.
The 2015 season will resume in mid-September
Race winners
Race 1: Copper – Arcadie Lory (Clint Vassallo) – 1.16.4”
Race 2: Silver B – Prince Lu (Shaun Portelli) – 1.16.2”
Race 3: Bronze A – Oregon Frontline (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16”
Race 4: Bronze B – Absolutelymeadow (Kurt Saliba) – 1.16.2”
Race 5: Silver A – Pronger (Claudio Refalo) – 1.15.6”
Race 6: Premier – Quartz De Vindecy (Carmelo Farrugia) – 1.15.3”
Race 7: Gold – Quintet Du Vivier (Charles Camilleri) – 1.13.4”