The three most important events at yesterday’s 28th meeting of the season were the semi-finals from the Prix De Vincennes champion-ship, open for French trotters in the Premier Class only.
These races were run on a short distance of 2,140m.
The championships for French trotters at the racetrack are being organised by the Malta Racing Club thanks to the financial support of the French association Le Trot and local betting company Izibet.
In all, the afternoon card consisted of nine races, all for trotters.
Twelve horses qualified for the final stage of the Prix De Vincennes championship.
In the first semi-final, Ruy Blas D’Ariane (Rodney Gatt) gained its first win at Marsa after leading for most of the distance.
However, victory was no easy task for Ruy Blas D’Ariane as this 11-year-old trotter was made to work hard for the win by strong challenger Quartz De Vindecy (Carmelo Farrugia).
Turnover (Frenċu Cassar) was third ahead of Rocco Darche (Ludvic Ghigo).
Uvario (Charles Debono), the early leader in the second semi-final, failed to keep its strong pace going as the front horses turned in for the final straight.
In the last few metres, Uvario was beaten to the post by Ton Ami Du Prieur (Charles Camilleri) for its first win of the season.
Royal De Vaiges (David Ellul) was second ahead of Swan Des Ternieres (Joseph Portelli) with Quebir De L’Aube (Clint Vassallo) sealing the remaining berth in the final.
In the next semi-final, Quo Williams (Charles Camilleri) dashed strongly from the outside, some 300m from the finish line, for its second win of the current season.
Quesito d’Or (Anton Cassar) was unable to hold off the challenge of Camilleri’s Quo Qilliams and had to settle for second place.
Quetzal De Brix (Clint Vassallo) and Radieux De Crennes (Marius Mizzi) were the last two trotters to progress to the final of the Premier Class championship.
Meanwhile, the programme also included two semi-finals from the Prix d’Enghien championship for Gold Class trotters.
In the first heat, favourite Sirius Atao (Noel Baldacchino) went unchallenged for the entire distance before securing its second win in a row, a length in front of Sephiro Flam (Clint Vassallo).
Gozitan driver Julian Farrugia led Spy Game to the front around a lap from home in the next Prix d’Enghien semi-final.
Spy Game maintained its pace until reaching the post for its second win of the season.
Tempo Boy (Clint Vassallo) was the runner-up in this race and Qurieux Du Ponchet (Noel Baldacchino) third.
Winners at the Marsa racetrack...
Race 1: Copper – Freddie Melon (Marco Debono) – 1.18”
Race 2: Silver – Tsardiem (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.6”
Race 3: Silver – Quipson (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.5”
Race 4: Gold – Sirius Atao (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.6”
Race 5: Premier – Ruy Blas D’Ariane (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.4”
Race 6: Gold – Spy Game (Julian Farrugia) – 1.15.8”
Race 7: Premier – Ton Ami Du Prieur (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.3”
Race 8: Premier – Quo Williams (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.2”
Race 9: Silver – Rocky Mati (Carl Caruana) – 1.15.1”