Two brothers have been remanded in custody following a heated brawl with people involved in horse racing which erupted over an alleged false start.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale heard how Matthew Debattista, a 26-year-old construction worker from Zejtun, was at the Marsa Racecourse yesterday where his pony was competing. In the accused's view, the ponies did not start the race together and, after one of the competing ponies passed his own, the owner passed a snide remark on how he had beat him.

Prosecuting officer Roderick Agius told the court that an argument subsequently erupted between the owners, prompting the police to intervene and calm the situation down.

Some time later, the altercation was reignited outside the racecourse, with the police once again breaking up the fight. Mr Debattista was subsequently charged with causing grievous and slight bodily harm to two people, disobeying police orders and breaching the conditions of a previous suspended sentence.

His 24-year-old brother Ryan allegedly went to the racetrack to have the last word with the person involved in organizing the races. He was subsequently charged with resisting arrest, insulting and slightly injuring two police officers as well as the victim, damaging the victim's van and breaching the conditions of two suspended sentences.

The two men are pleading not guilty.

The prosecution objected to bail being granted to the accused, arguing that a minor person and an elderly woman were yet to testify and since they frequented the same spots, the elder brother could easily communicate with them and tamper the evidence.

The two men were also not trustworthy, the prosecution argued, pointing out that the elder brother had already been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm in another case while the younger brother had a "colourful" criminal record.

Lawyer Noel Bianco requested bail on behalf of the accused, pointing out that the younger brother had received a call informing him that his brother had been punched and was sporting a bloodied face.

It took two to tango, the lawyer argued, asking why the other person involved in the main altercation had not been arraigned.

The court turned down the request for bail and the two men were remanded in custody.