The two semi-finals from the Emirates It-Tazza l-Kbira championship, on the 2,140m distance, were held yesterday during the 14th meeting of the season at Marsa.

Ten trotters have now made it to the final of this prestigious competition on the Malta Racing Club calendar.

Yesterday, there were seven other events, all trotting and on the rather long 2,640m distance. The programme included a race for the Premier Class and one from Gold.

The ever-popular In Vitro Du Bourg (Ivan Bilocca) registered a third successive win this season after coming home first in the first semi-final of It-Tazza l-Kbira.

While it led for most of the distance, pre-race favourite In Vitro Du Bourg clocked a fast time of 1'13.8'' per kilometre. Iris Du Louvet, James De L'Iton, Bello Fratello and Gigo Lloyd also reached the final in that order.

In the second semi-final of the day, Clint Vassallo's Think Yatzee, another favourite at the racecourse, led from start to finish, his average time being 1'14.7'' per kilometre.

Kosker Mancellerie, Ksar, Lindsay Neve and Arnie Sansation were the other trotters to earn a place in the final.

In between the semi-finals, Kosac Du Puits (Rodney Gatt) had to go all out to win the Premier class race that had no connection to any competition. Earlier on, Solid VG (Brian Zammit) won the Gold race after leading for most of the distance.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The card will include races from the Mediterranean Jockeys and Drivers Championship.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, Gatsby De La Motte (F. Cassar).

Race 2: Copper, Tapincha (J. Debattista).

Race 3: Silver, Above Roland (G. Attard).

Race 4: Gold, Solid VG (Brian Zammit).

Race 5: SF In Vitro Du Bourg (I. Bilocca).

Race 6: Premier, Kosac Du Puits (R. Gatt).

Race 7: SF, Think Yatzee (C. Vassallo).

Race 8: Copper, Ilex Garden (J. Gaffarena).

Race 9: Bronze, Mirall Composite (F. Tanti).