Yesterday's card at the Marsa Racetrack included two Class A1 events, both qualifiers for the top class condition race, the first of which was a handicap on 2,160 metres. The other was a scratch race over 2,140 metres. Six trotters qualified from these two events. The remaining seven races were on the 2,140-metre distance.
The Class A1 handicap had a most exciting finish involving five horses dashing together towards the post along the last 100 metres.
It was Naughty Boy, driven by Joe Zerafa, that just won by a head in front of second horse in, Gold Cup, running in its first race in Malta. While the former started the race from the front line, the latter had to overcome a 20-metre handicap.
Ilo Haleryd was the third horse to qualify. Espoir de Terme, the most-quoted trotter in this race since coming from three wins on the trot, could do nothing after starting with a 40-metre handicap.
Eden de Riva looked set to win the scratch Class A1 race up to a few metres from the post after leading from the start, but it could not last the pace when challenged by favourite Friday, driven by Claudio Refalo. Friday went on to win closely, followed by Joker Smabo. Thus, Eden de Riva had to settle for third place but, at least, qualified.
The Class A event was a copy of the second Class A1 race. This time it was Hollyfield that was pipped at the end, first by eventual winner R.M.C. Mystic, under the control of Julian Farrugia and then by favourite Allegori.
Only the winner qualified for the Classes A/B condition race. Another qualifier for this condition race was Frank Portelli's Mach Hermes which snatched the lead midway through the Class B race.
Joe Zerafa was best driver with two wins together with Noel Baldacchino.
The next meeting is scheduled for the coming Friday, starting at 6 p.m. under floodlights. The programme starts with the inauguration by the Prime Minister Dr Eddie Fenech Adami of the floodlighting system and the new entrance to the Marsa Racing Club.
Yesterday's winners
Race 1, Class H - Popello (G. Attard); Race 2, Class G - Denoso (G. Schembri); Race 3, Class E - Marcadet (C. Degiorgio); Race 4, Class B - Mach Hermes (F. Portelli); Race 5, Class A1 - Naughty Boy (J. Zerafa); Race 6, Class A - R.M.C. Mystic (J. Farrugia); Race 7, Class A1 - Friday (C. Refalo); Race 8, Class C - Union Express (N. Baldacchino); Race 9, Class D - Drole de Bootz (J. Zerafa).