The quarter-finals of the Tazza l-Kbira, sponsored by Emirates Airlines, were the highlight of the 12th meeting of the season at the Marsa racetrack yesterday. In all, 20 trotters booked a berth in the semi-finals.

The rest of the card included two Bronze and two Copper races, also on the 2,140m distance, and a flat event for class A runners on 1,750m.

It was good to see jockey Sarah Borg make a reappearance at the Marsa Racecourse yesterday as a spectator.

Borg is recovering from serious injuries she sustained after falling off her horse during a flat race in January.

Noel Baldacchino chalked up to two wins to finish as the meeting's best driver.

Baldacchino drove Lawrence Crown to victory in the first quarter-final of the Tazza l-Kbira thanks to a very strong dash along the final 150 metres. It was followed in second place by Kaki De Peyraout while Permit Hanover, Jajolet and Ville Peson also qualified for the semi-finals. For Lawrence Crown this was its second win on the trot.

Clint Vassallo's Think Yatzee recorded a convincing eight-length win in the second quarter-final after leading all the way. The other qualifiers were Kosker Mancellerie, B.B.S. Balthazar, Race Ball and Iris Du Louvet respectively.

James De L'Iton, under the guidance of Baldacchino, grabbed the lead early in the race to go on and win the third quarter-final. L'Ideal De Fersan was second ahead of Gigo Lloyd, Ksar and Emil Brebro.

Popular trotter In Vitro Du Bourg, led by Ivan Bilocca, was first in the fourth quarter-final. In Vitro du Bourg had to withhold the late surge of second horse in Arnie Sensation. Staro Tonic, Lindsay Neve and Espace Aerien were the other trotters that made it to the semi-finals.

Just The Best, driven by Ramon Grima, notched its second successive win after leading all the way in the only flat event. Kharsak was second ahead of Privileged Boy.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, 2,140m - Flying Cowboyland (T. Demanuele).

Race 2: Copper, 2,140m - Kenta Lady (F. Portelli).

Race 3: Tazza l-Kbira quarter-final 1, 2140m - Lawrence Crown (N. Baldacchino).

Race 4: Flat Class A, 1,750m - Just The Best (R. Grima).

Race 5: Tazza l-Kbira quarter-final 2, 2,140m - Think Yatzee (C. Vassallo).

Race 6: Bronze, 2,140m - Above Rolan (G. Attard).

Race 7: Tazza l-Kbira quarter-final 3, 2,140m - James De L'Iton (N. Baldacchino).

Race 8: Tazza l-Kbira quarter-final 4, 2,140m - In Vitro Du Bourg (I. Bilocca).

Race 9: Bronze, 2,140m - Jet Star (E. Bezzina).