Premier Class race winner Fire. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli

The second meeting this spring at the Marsa racetrack, made up of eight races, was held yesterday.

The card included four major events – the Chukkas Cup final for flat horses, on 1,750m, and three Condition Race finals for Gold and Silver trotters on 2,140m.

Pepone du Castelet (Charles Camilleri) upped its pace from the outside in the Condition Race final for Gold Class trotters.

This horse went on to seal its second win at Marsa, easily a length and a half ahead of Charm Hammering (Gilbert Farrugia) and Skars Hanna (Jeffrey Said). Orage du Pont (Noel Baldacchino) was fourth.

In the first final for Silver trotters, Orio de Marancourt (Frenċu Cassar) dashed from the outside midway through the final straight for its first win of the year from Ostheo d’Havetot (Andrew Farrugia) and Cross Country FC (Salvu Vella).

The much quoted Wonderofyou (Julian Farrugia) had to settle for fourth place.

Octobre En Fete (Cliferty Calleja), the punters’ favourite, increased its pace with a lap to go in the other Silver final.

This French trotter managed to hold off the challenge from Pilote de Nganda (James Carabott) in the final metres for its third consecutive win. Okir de Leau (Brian Hili) and Ouragan de Crouay (Larson Mifsud) finished behind Pilote de Nganda in that order.

Four horses took part in the Chukkas Cup.

It was Privileged Boy, mounted by Oliver Briffa, the first out of the gates, going on to open a length’s lead from nearest pursuers Timolin (Ramon Grima) and Henderlik (Demis Zammit).

However, some 600m from the post, Privileged Boy ran out of steam and in came Timolin which took its second win in a row from Henderlik.

Racing club chairman Matthew Brincat presented mementoes to all drivers and owners whose horses won the finals in programme yesterday.

Meanwhile, the card yesterday also included a race for Premier Class trotters on a long distance of 2,640m.

Mont Cenis Honey (Noel Baldacchino) seized the early initiative but was eventually overtaken by Fire, driven by Gozitan Marco Refalo, before dashing home for its second win of the year. Label Chouan (David Ellul) was second ahead of Shakira Trot (Charles Camilleri) and Normand d’Oger (Cliferty Calleja).

Another programme of racing will be held at the Marsa racetrack on Friday evening.

The winners

Race 1: Copper, Lemon Solo (Etienne Farrugia) – 1.19.4”
Race 2: Bronze, Orgeat (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.7”
Race 3: Final Silver, Orio de Marancourt (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.16.8”
Race 4: Final Silver, Octobre En Fete (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.16.9”
Race 5: Premier, Fire (Marco Refalo) – 1.15.9”
Race 6: Final flat, Timolin (Ramon Grima) – 1.49.6”
Race 7: Final Gold, Pepone du Castelet (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16.4”
Race 8: Gold, Nagano Phedo (Mario Fenech) – 1.17.1”