As anticipated, the two heats from the Mediterranean Championship were the main attraction in yesterday’s 14th meeting of the season made up of eight races.
This was the third consecutive year that Malta was hosting these international heats. Julian Farrugia represented the country in the drivers’ heat while Eric Zammit took part in the race for jockeys.
Before the start of the first heat, the representatives of each country involved were officially presented to the hundreds of racing enthusiasts who flocked to the Marsa Racetrack yesterday for this special meeting.
The drivers’ heat was held over a short distance of 2,140m and besides Farrugia, the other drivers in competition hailed from Slovenia, Ukraine, Italy, France, Russia and Serbia.
Farrugia had an outstanding race and led all the way with Magnifique Sablais.
This horse obtained its second win of the season by a length from Zerbin (Antonio Esposito – Italy), Money Boy (Ajda Dolinsek – Slovenja) and Oscardo du Val (Lev Kieselev – Russia).
Magnifique Sablais clocked an average time of 1.17.3” p/km.
At the end of the race, Matthew Brincat, MRC chairman, presented the winning trophy to Farrugia and the owners of the winning horse.
Farrugia said he was aware that the horse was in good form.
“Magnifique Sablais is at a peak at the moment,” Farrugia, who hails from Gozo, said after the race.
“Also, the fact that my horse shot into the lead from the very early stages was a key factor which helped us to win the race.”
The jockeys’ heat was run on a long distance of 2,250m with the participation of six riders.
Zammit faced professional counterparts from Russia, Morocco, Tunisia, France and Italy.
Minnow, mounted by Tunisian Mounir Mansouri, was first out of the gate. But this horse started slowing down considerably with some 400m from the finish line. Even-tually it was overtaken by race winner Ollie Fliptrik (Alexandre Pillet – France). Genievre (Alessandro Muzzi – Italy) was second and Minnow third.
Zammit’s Lordswood had a quiet race and did not rank among the front runners.
Trophies were presented to Pillet and the owner of Ollie Fliptrick, Sarah Borg. This race had a total time of 2.19.2”.
The card yesterday also included four Silver Class races on a mile distance. The winners were Urido Limburgia (Salvu Bartolo), One-guer (Darren Mizzi), Bankir Zon (Clint Vassallo) and Flying As (Jonathan Farrugia).
Another racing programme will be held at Marsa on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.
Yesterday’S Winners
At The Racetrack
Race 1: Class Copper, Pondus Sund (Rodney Gatt) – 1.18”.
Race 2: Class Silver, Urido Limburgia (Salvu Bartolo) – 1.15.8”.
Race 3: Class Silver, Oneguer (Darren Mizzi) – 1.16.6”.
Race 4: Mediterranean Champion-ship, Magnifique Sablais (Julian Farrugia) 1.17.3”.
Race 5: Class Silver, Bankir Zon (Clint Vassallo) – 1.16.3”.
Race 6: Ponies, Impossible Girl (Shawn Portelli).
Race 7: Mediterranean Champion-ship, Flat, Ollie Fliptrik (Alexandre Pillet – France) – 2.19.2”.
Race 8: Class Silver, Flying As (Jonathan Farrugia) – 1.16.5”.