Belafonte was the winner of yesterday’s major event at the Marsa racetrack as the Swedish trotter, driven by Clifferty Calleja, took top spot in the Premier class race yesterday.

The 2,140m race formed part of the second meeting of the season which was made up of eight races.

Yesterday’s programme also included a flat race, on the short 1,250m distance. Here, Irish newcomer Potere d’Acquisto claimed its maiden win in Malta.

Eleven horses took part in the Premier class race.

Veikko Hornline (Carl Caruana) set the early pace, opening a slight lead from Nicos de Peneme (Kevin Azzopardi) and Ouragan de Sita (Chris Cassar).

With a lap to go Net de Ginai (Rodney Gatt) shot into the lead. However, this French trotter couldn’t maintain the pace of the resurging Belafonte who went on to record its second win in Malta. Ouragan de Sita and Versace Boko (Warren Spiteri) placed third and fourth respectively.

The winner clocked an average time of 1.16” per kilometer.

Only four horses took part in the only flat race of the day.

Here a keen tussle ensued between two debutantes. It was Potere d’Acquisto, driven by Demis Zammit, which finished first by half length from British mare Maya Queen under the guidance of Demis’s brother, Eric.

Buttermilk (Michael Sultana) finished third.

In the gold class race, Nick de Touchyvon (Charlo’ Debono) started to slow down around 250m from the finishing line. Natif de Salvi (Kurt Saliba) took control and went on to claim its first win of the season.

Stefan Sufflor (Anthony Bartolo) and Mint Spirit (Shawn Portelli) filled the other top-four positions.

In the first class Silver race of the day, Wonderofyou (Julian Farrugia) increased its pace across the last 600m and triumphed by a length from Landi Breton (David Ellul) and Oscar des Racques (Clint Vassallo). Bella Notte (Nathaniel Barbara) ended fourth.

Dacoit (Clint Vassallo) surged ahead around 300m from the end of the second class Silver race and managed to secure its first win in Malta, a length ahead of Mint Condition (Jason Vassallo) and Triumf Sund (Rodney Gatt).

Ocean Brillouard (Noel Baldacchino) ended in fourth place.

The next programme of races at the Marsa racetrack is scheduled for Sunday. The first race gets under way at 1.30 p.m.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Class Copper – Qualou d’Axel (Charles Mifsud) – NTR.
Race 2: Class Bronze – Robin Lou (Charles Camilleri) – 1.18.4”.
Race 3: Class Silver – Wonderofyou (Julian Farrugia) – 1.18.3.”
Race 4: Class Bronze – Lotus du Goth (Andrew Spiteri) – 1.18.2”.
Race 5: Flat – Potere d’Acquisto (Demis Zammit) – 1.14.1”.
Race 6: Class Gold – Natif de Salvi (Kurt Saliba) – 1.18.1”.
Race 7: Class Premier – Belafonte (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.16”.
Race 8: Class Silver – Dacoit (Clint Vassallo) – 1.17.8”.

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