Another 28 trotters qualified yesterday from six events for the Malta-Sweden Encounter Races.

Only the first four from the two Class A1 events and the same number from the two Class B races gained a berth in the next round, but the first six from the two other races also qualified.

One of the two top class races was a handicap on 2,160 metres, the rest being on the 2,140m.

Joseph Scicluna was the meeting's best driver with two victories.

In the handicap Class A1 event Julian Farrugia's Jason R.P. surprised one and all midway through the final straight to clinch victory ahead of Braveheart, Friday and Figaro Speed in that order.

For the record, Friday started with a 20m handicap.

Espoir Du Terme, driven by Andrew Pace, had a comfortable three-length win in the top class scratch race after leading all the way. The Rock, Huit Mars and Schack Broline also qualified.

In the first of the two Class B races, Forban, driven by C. Bilocca, overtook the then leading horse Gnat in the final metres to emerge winner, leaving the latter to contend with second place. Gitan D'Udon, third, and Esard, fourth, also qualified.

Frans Gauci managed to keep Monsieur Shane continually in the lead in Class C and was three lengths ahead of second horse in, Djinn Marcos Milo, followed by Elan Des Essarts, Tomali Rose, Eges Ranido and Sugar Candy that also qualified in that order.

A tussle along the final metres of Class D between Stradivaro and Mr Seagram ended in a close win for the former, driven by Joseph Scicluna.

The others that qualified were Ecrin Du Laudot, Camelia Poterie, Union Express and First Begonia.

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

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Class H - Ed Ham Cazeen (M. Farrugia).
Race 2: Class F - Tug Of War (G. Schembri).
Race 3: Class E - Why Chivas (L. Ghigo).
Race 4: Class D - Stradivaro (J. Scicluna).
Race 5: Class A1 - Jason R.P (J. Farrugia).
Race 6: Class B - Forban (C. Bilocca).
Race 7: Class A1 - Espoir Du Terme (A. Pace).
Race: 8: Class C - Monsieur Shane (F. Gauci).
Race 9: Class B - Equito (J. Scicluna).

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