A trotting international race between Maltese and Swedish drivers from Mantorp, two Burmarrad Commercials Challenge Cup flat-race finals on the 1,250-metres distance plus seven trotting events over 2,140 metres, made for an interesting programme at the Marsa Racecourse yesterday.
Gozitan Julian Farrugia was the meeting's best driver with two wins.
Top favourite Privilege Boy, an Irish runner ridden by Eric Zammit, collected its fourth successive victory when finishing first in the Burmarrad Commercials Challenge Cup 2008 'A' final. Privilege Boy led from start to finish as Pour L'Amour's final surge only earned this horse second place. Saintax was third.
Mario Gauci, director at Burmarrad Commercials, presented the prestigious Challenge Cup trophy to Sarah Clews, owner of Privilege Boy.
The Burmarrad Commercials 'B' final saw the victory of favourite Black Metal, controlled by Gozitan jockey Omar Cauchi, thanks to a very strong dash along the final straight. It was Black Metal's second win on the run.
The Malta-Mantorp international race, sponsored by Fintack, was exciting from start to finish with first position alternating between a number of trotters. Staro Sammet, driven by Daren Mizzi, surged ahead 900 metres from the post and went on to win by a clear three lengths ahead of Ion De Garonne, controlled by another Maltese, Lauro Bartolo. Third place went to Atlantis, under the charge of Swede Johan Petersson.
Staro Tonic, driven by Charles Camilleri, had to go all out to hold on to first place in the Gold 1 when, in the last 100m, it was strongly attacked by the second horse in, Widget. Hawkeye De Marco finished third.
First place in the Gold 3 was taken by Glory Cowboyland. Led by Farrugia, Glory Cowboyland snatched the lead half a lap from the end and at the post, it had a three-lengths advantage over Charlie Smitt. Joyful Du Douetil was third.
Rodney Gatt guided Sorrento to victory in the Gold 4 after this horse increased its pace along the final 150 metres to register its second consecutive win. BWT Mensroom and Instead Of Cash were second and third respectively.
The next meeting is scheduled for Friday evening, starting at 7.
Yesterday's winners
Race 1: Bronze 6, 2,140m - Yakin (J. Farrugia).
Race 2: Bronze 3, 2,140m - Smooth Billy (J. Scicluna).
Race 3: Flat Final B, 1,250m - Black Metal (O. Cauchi).
Race 4: Malta-Mantorp International, 2,140m - Staro Sammet (D. Mizzi).
Race 5: Gold 1, 2,140m - Staro Tonic (C. Camilleri).
Race 6: Gold 3, 2,140m, Glory Cowboyland (J. Farrugia).
Race 7: Flat Final A, 2,140m - Privilege Boy (E. Zammit).
Race 8: Gold 4, 2,140m - Sorrento (R. Gatt).
Race 9: Silver 5, 2,140m - Ilot Du Pont (B. Hili).
Race 10: Silver 2, 2,140m - Lip Definer (J. Zammit).