Another two new SECF Championships for French trotters coming from Classes A1, A, B and F, G and H started yesterday at the Marsa racetrack with seven heats on a short distance of 2,140 metres.
These heats formed part of the 45th meeting of the season made up of eight races, all for trotters.
The SECF Championships are being organised by the Malta Racing Club thanks to the financial support of the French trotting association Societe du Cheval Francais. Finals will be held next month.
From the five heats of the SECF Championship for classes A1, A and B, 20 horses moved to the semi-finals stage.
Florissant (A. Farrugia) led almost all the way in the first heat.
But midway through the final straight, this horse was overtaken by Fly Speed (A. Pace) which went on to clinch its second win of the season. Get Love (G. Schembri) and Half Back (C. Degiorgio) also moved to the semi-final stage.
In the second class A1/A/B heat, newcomer Ison Des Joncs (J. Scicluna) obtained its first win on the island after increasing speed significantly in the last 500m.
Ison Des Joncs won easily by a length from Fenris (M. Fenech), Hickland De Monti (C. Gerada) and Great (N. Baldacchino).
As expected, French newcomer Faverol (C. Micallef) triumphed in race five. It won easily by a length from Fontenoy (B. Briffa).
Fute De la Basle (A. Pace) and Filou D'Olain (O. Briffa) also moved to the semi-final stage.
Gagneur Du Brillon (N. Baldacchino) dominated the fourth heat. He led all the way for an astounding ten-length win from Gary D'Hautmoniere (C. Camilleri), Gatac Du Terme (J. Axisa) and French newcomer Horse D'Or (J. Debattista).
Hold Fouteau (C. Degiorgio) also had a comfortable afternoon in the fifth and last class A1/A/B heat.
This trotter obtained its first win at the racetrack by five lengths from Fanion Briangault (S. Vella), Grelot Normand (N. Baldacchino) and Fier Seigneur (S. Formosa).
Yesterday's winners
Race 1: Class G - 2,140m, Victory Ghost - Charles Camilleri 1'20"1.
Race 2: Heat Class F/G/H - 2,140m, First Begonia - Salvu Cutajar 1'18"5.
Race 3: Heat Class A1/A/B - 2,140m, Fly Speed - Andrew Pace 1'17"0.
Race 4: Heat Class A1/A/B - 2,140m, Ison Des Joncs - Joseph Scicluna 1'16"1.
Race 5: Heat Class A1/A/B - 2,140m, Faverol - Carmelo Micallef 1'17"3.
Race 6: Heat Class A1/A/B - 2,140m, Gagneur Du Brillon - Noel Baldacchino 1'16"3.
Race 7: Heat Class A1/A/B - 2,140m, Hold Fouteau - Charles Degiorgio 1'16"7.
Race 8: Heat Class F/G/H - 2,140m, Eden - John Briffa 1.19".