As expected, the Premier Class race was the main attraction on yesterday’s card for the 50th meeting at Marsa.
This race was won by Versace Boko under the guidance of Warren Spiteri.
Versace Boko set the early pace, opening a length’s lead from Superior As (Shawn Portelli) and Milord Barbes (Frenċu Cassar).
With a lap to go it was Nuage de Bourgogne (Herman McKay) which tried to seize the initiative but Versace Boko continued to race untroubled, going on to notch its first win ahead of Wiss Night Hawk (Jeffrey Said) which had increased its speed in the final metres of the race.
Milord Barbes and Nono de Crouay (Melvin Farrugia) completed the top four as Versace Boko clocked an average speed of 1.15.4 per kilometre.
In the opening Gold Class race, Night Inlet (Noel Baldacchino) surged ahead midway through the distance. This 11-year-old from France ran unimpeded and secured its second win of the year from Quebec (Mark Mifsud), Pinekiller (Marco Refalo) and Quid de la Muette (Mark Desira).
There was a close finish in the other Gold race when Key Value (Mark Tanti) and Baron GL (Noel Baldacchino) sprinted neck and neck at the straight for home.
At the post, it was Key Value which took its second win of the season with Orion du Vaumicel (Frenċu Cassar) and US newcomer Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri) finishing behind Baron GL in that order.
The card also included three races for Silver Class trotters.
A keen tussle developed bet-ween five horses in the straight of the first Silver race. Bankiren (Rodney Gatt) went on to win its first race of the season from Oural d’Asnois (Patrick Spiteri) and Loustic d’Anjou (Eric Bezzina).
Lucas Ness (Mario Farrugia) started to slow down 300m from the finishing line of the next Silver event yesterday and was overtaken by Darco As (Mark Tanti).
Charm Hammering (Carmelo Farrugia) also gained its first win at Marsa in the third Silver race.
This Swedish horse went all out in the last 400m to surprise the rest of the field. Obiscus Del Fa (Julian Farrugia) was second ahead of Law Suit (Noel Baldacchino) and Octobre En Fete (Charles Camilleri).
The next programme of races at Marsa will be held on Friday evening.
The winners
Race 1: Copper, Malta Sara B (Rodney Gatt) – 1.19.4”
Race 2: Copper, Esmeralda Run (Redent Magro) – 1.17.7”
Race 3: Silver, Bankiren (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.6”
Race 4: Gold, Night Inlet (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.8”
Race 5: Silver, Darco As (Mark Tanti) – 1.15.5”
Race 6: Gold, Key Value (Mark Tanti) – 1.16.5”
Race 7: Premier, Versace Boko (Warren Spiteri) – 1.15.4”
Race 8: Silver, Charm Hammering (Carmelo Farrugia) – 1.17.6”