As expected, the three heats from the Sette Giugno Championship for Premier Class trotters were the main attraction in yesterday’s 22nd meeting of the season at Marsa.
This championship is being held on the short distance of 2,140m. Nine trotters qualified for the final from yesterday’s qualifying races.
In the first heat, Ofackevo (Julian Farrugia) secured its first win in Malta after leading all the way home. This French trotter was a half-length clear from Sultan November (Shawn Portelli) and Wiss Night Hawk (Oliver Briffa) at the post. Absolut Spender (Mark Desira) was fourth.
Nino de Saintho (Cliferty Calleja) and Orcas Bac (Charles Camilleri) sprinted neck and neck midway through the final straight of the second Premier race.
It was Nine de Saintho which eventually gained its third win of the season with Simb Mark (Noel Baldacchino) and Original Blue (Chris Cassar) finishing behind Orcas Bac in that order.
Swedish newcomer Lage met no particular trouble on its way to victory in the next Premier race.
Driven by Marco Refalo, Lage ran unchallenged for the entire distance, finishing well clear of Belafonte (Cliferty Calleja) and Argus Hanover (Charles Camilleri). Give To Get (Ludvic Ghigo) had to settle for fourth place.
Lage clocked the best average time of the day, 1.15.1” per kilometre.
Yesterday’s card also included semi-final races from a series of French championships.
Noble d’Ete (Raymond Clifton) was unchallenged for most of the distance during the first Gold Class race.
This 12-year-old French trotter was first ahead of Orion du Vaumicel (Frenċu Cassar), Prince Gaillard (Noel Baldacchino) and Orage du Pont (Charles Camilleri).
Natif de Salvi (Kurt Saliba) was the fourth horse past the post in this race.
In the other Gold semi-final, favourite Pepone du Castelet (Charles Camilleri) upped its pace in the last 400m of the race for its fourth win on the trot.
Phenix de la Roque (Noel Baldacchino) and Niky du Donjon (Joe Vella) were second and third, respectively, ahead of Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul) and Oscar Indien (Anthony Camilleri).
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Bronze, Quindici (Patrick Spiteri) – 1.16.8”
Race 2. Bronze, Noli de Marray (Patrick Spiteri) – 1.17.9”
Race 3. Silver, Quaroldo (Carl Caruana) – 1.16.7”
Race 4. Premier, Ofackevo (Julian Farrugia) – 1.16.1”
Race 5. Silver, Marco Barbes (Kevin Sciberras) – 1.17.9”
Race 6. Premier, Nino de Saintho (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.15.3”
Race 7. Gold, Noble d’Ete (Raymond Clifton) – 1.16.5”
Race 8. Premier, Lage (Marco Refalo) – 1.15.1”
Race 9. Gold, Pepone du Castelet (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16.6”