Finnish nine-year-old trotter Daring Daylight won yesterday’s main event at the Marsa Racetrack, the Assikura B Championship final reserved for trotters which were not bred in France or Sweden.

This final, on a short distance of 2,140m, formed part of the third meeting of the season made up of seven races, all for trotters.

Twelve horses lined up for the final. Belgian Ackaturbo (Shaun Portelli) was one of the fastest horses in the early stages, opening a half-length lead from Ariane A (Tony Demanuele) and Willesden Hanover (Wayne Farrugia).

Midway through the distance, Ackaturbo was still going strong but, with 200m to go, this horse started to slow down. In the final straight, it was overtaken by Daring Daylight (Charles Camilleri) which notched its third win in a row.

Ariane A and Baronello (Jason Vassallo) followed home in that order.

At the end of the final, MRC chairman Matthew Brincat presented the winning trophy to Oliver Bonello and Camilleri, the owner and driver of Daring Daylight respectively. The winner clocked an average of 1.18.5” per kilometre.

Yesterday’s card also included two semi-finals from a similar championship, run on a short distance of 2,140m. In the first semi-final, there was a keen tussle between two German horses and two Gozitan drivers.

It was Sultan November (Shaun Portelli) which secured its first win in Malta from Troy Boshoeve (Salvu Vella). American newcomer Pro Shop (Rodney Gatt), Ygor of Pass (Tony Demanuele) and Delicious Brother (Christian Xerri) also made it to the final.

There was a close finish in the second semi when American Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri) and Danish Mars (Josef Cassar) sprinted together in the final straight. It was the former which grabbed its first win of the season.

Reado November (Shaun Portelli), Enjoy Kronos (Rodney Gatt) and Darco As (Marco Tanti) also advanced.

In the only Premier Class race of the day, French debutant Oran, driven by young professional driver Junior Guelpa, led almost all the way to cruise to its first win in Malta easily by three lengths from another French newcomer, Odedjalo (Noel Baldacchino).

Label Chouan (David Ellul) and Fire (Marco Refalo) followed home in that order.

Two races for Gold Class trotters were also run yesterday. In the first, Oscar Mati (Rodney Gatt) upped its speed with a lap to go and finished first by a length from Opal Hall (Clint Vassallo).

Naja In Blue (Mario Falzon) and Jerry Eme (Noel Baldacchino) were third and fourth respectively.

Keeping Quality (Charles Magro) dashed strongly from the outside around 500m from the post in the second Gold race.

This 10-year-old mare prevailed by half-a-length from Janitor (Marvin Cauchi) and Lovely Mab (Johan Gaffarena).

Scandinavian newcomer Rika Rico (Shaun Portelli) was fourth.

During yesterday’s meeting, Charles Camilleri was honoured as the best driver for December.

Another programme will be held on Sunday at the Marsa Racetrack. The first race starts at 1.30pm.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Silver, Charm Hammering (Gilbert Farrugia) – 1.18.1”.
Race 2: Gold, Oscar Mati (Rodney Gatt) – 1.18.9”.
Race 3: Assikura Championship SF (Open A), Sultan November (Shaun Portelli) – 1.17”.
Race 4: Assikura Championship Final (Open B), Daring Daylight (Charles Camilleri) – 1.18.5”.
Race 5: Assikura Championship SF (Open A), Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri) – 1.17.5”.
Race 6: Premier, Oran (Junior Guelpa – France) – 1.16.2”.
Race 7: Gold, Keeping Quality (Charles Magro) – 1.18.7”.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.