Swedish mare Shakira Trot won Friday’s major event at the Marsa Racetrack, the Summer Championship final for Premier Class trotters staged over a short distance of 2,140m.

This race formed part of the 33rd meeting of the season and was made up of seven events, all finals from the various championships held during the past few weeks.

Eight horses qualified for the Premier Class final.

Vanmaker Limburgia (Charles Camilleri) was the fastest horse in the early stages, opening a half-length’s lead from Absolut Spender (Mark Desira) and Orne des Olivettes (Christian Xerri).

But with a lap to go, Olry Meslois (Emmanuel Fenech) shot into the lead before a keen tussle developed in the final metres involving other horses.

At the post, Shakira Trot (Rodney Gatt) went all out to secure its second win of the year just ahead of Olry Meslois with Label Chouan (David Ellul) and Vanmaker Limburgia slightly further back.

The winner clocked an average time of 1.15.7” per kilometre.

At the end of the race, Mark Vella, MRC Director, presented the trophy to Shakira Trot owner Francois Zammit and driver Gatt.

In the Gold Class final, early leader Perdreau Rapide (Rodney Gatt) was outsmarted by Simb Tyrant (Mark Tanti) in the final metres while favourite Quaroldo (Brian Zammit) upped its pace in the last 300m of the Silver Class A final.

The French nine-year-old trotter went unchallenged in the final metres for its third win in a row and the fourth at Marsa.

Pilote de Nganda (James Cara-bott) was second ahead of Paolin de Bannes (Noel Baldacchino) and Udice Boko (Tony Cauchi).

There was a close finish bet-ween Quartes (Brian Hili) and Socrates (James Briffa) in the final for Silver B trotters. It was the former that claimed the honours after that the photo-finish was consulted by race stewards.

The 2013 season will resume now with another meeting in the first week of September.

The winners
Race 1: Bronze B – Zeta Jones A (Charles Camilleri) 1.16.6.
Race 2: Copper – Andri Boko (Tony Demanuele) 1.17.9.
Race 3: Silver B – Quartes (Brian Hili) 1.16.4.
Race 4: Bronze A – Polytain (Noel Baldacchino) 1.16.0.
Race 5: Gold – Simb Tyrant (Mark Tanti) 1.15.2.
Race 6: Premier – Shakira Trot (Rodney Gatt) 1.15.7.
Race 7: Silver A – Quaroldo (Brian Zammit) 1.15.9.

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