The highlight of yesterday’s programme of races at Marsa was an international race involving Maltese drivers and those from Sweden’s Sundbyholm racetrack.

The race was held over a short distance of 2,140m and formed part of the 23rd meeting of the season that was made up of nine all-trotting events.

Ten drivers took part in the international race.

It was Stanford Hornline (Anton Pace) that made the fastest start, opening a length’s lead from Power Cape (Henrik Nilsson).

But, with a lap to go it was Nous Dix de L’Erve (Roland Jansson) that started to increase its speed significantly to dash in the leading position.

This French trotter went on to win the race with Keeping Quality, under the guidance of another Swedish driver, Cay Makinen, in second place.

Cocos Kaos (Stig Nillson) was third and Prince Regent (Matthew Sammut) fourth.

In the only Premier Class race of the afternoon, Dutch trotter Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele) stormed clear of the field with 200m to the post to secure its fourth win at the racetrack.

Happiness Photo (Julian Farrugia), Troy Boshoeve (Salvu Vella) and Quid de la Muette (Mark Desira) followed home in that order as Zilver Boko yesterday clocked an average time of 1.15.8” per kilometre.

Yesterday’s card also included four races for Silver trotters.

Favourite Ackaturbo (Shaun Portelli) notched its fourth win in a row after leading all the way in the first race as Flying As (Jonathan Farrugia) dashed strongly from the outside in the next race for its first win of the season.

There was a close finish in the third Silver race on the card when Stoms Alex (Charles Camilleri) and Petrus du Vivier (Mark Desira) sprinted together in the straight for home.

At the post, it was Stoms Alex the first trotter by a whisker.

Yesterday, Narcus du Roc (Noel Baldacchino) was making a comeback to the racetrack after almost four months away.

This 11-year-old French trotter did not disappoint its owners after winning the fourth Silver race in programme ahead of Darco As (Mark Tanti).

Another programme of races at Marsa will be held on Sunday.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Esmeralda Run (Mario Falzon).
Race 2: Copper, Lorraine d’Oliverie (Brian Hili).
Race 3: Silver, Ackaturbo (Shaun Portelli).
Race 4: Silver, Flying As (Jonathan Farrugia).
Race 5: Malta-Sundbyholm Race, Nous Dix de L’Erve (Roland Jansson).
Race 6: Silver, Stoms Alex (Charles Camilleri).
Race 7: Premier, Zilver Boko (Tony Demanuele).
Race 8: Silver, Narcus du Roc (Noel Baldacchino).
Race 9: Bronze, Noe de Loudat (Kevin Sciberras).