The highlights of yesterday’s 42nd meeting of the year, consisting of eight races, were two international races on a short distance of 2,140m.

Eleven Maltese drivers challenged five amateur Dutch drivers from the Alkmaar racetrack. All horses registered for these two events are owned by Maltese.

Gozitan driver Julian Farrugia claimed a double after leading Nerlo Villetot and Quio De Nappes to victory.

In the first international race, it was Swedish mare Rybo Juvel, driven by Dutch Paul Wals, which looked a serious contender in the early stages, opening a seven-length lead from Fuoco Nel Fuoco (Willem Brouwer) and Caddie Drink (Charles Farrugia).

But, with 700 metres to go, Rybo Juvel ran out of steam and was overtaken by Caddie Drink.

In the final straight, Caddie Drink also began to lose pace and in came Nerlo Villetot (Julian Farrugia) which notched its second win of the year. Buckens Stjarna (Tony Tanti) and Kaki de Peyrahout (Peter Wisker) finished third and fourth respectively.

Quio De Nappes (Julian Farrugia) dashed strongly from the outside around 600m from the end of the second Malta-Alkmaar Amateur Race. This French nine-year-old trotter stormed to its second win in Malta by more than four lengths from three other horses driven by Maltese drivers.

These were Pirate d’Urzy (Eugenio Bondin), Darco As (Mark Tanti) and Queen Streamline (Shawn Formosa).

At the end of these two races, the winning driver was presented with horse blankets by the sponsors, P & M Farrugia Company Limited.

Yesterday’s card also included a normal Premier Class race on a long distance of 2,640m.

The Bad Rock (Rodney Gatt) nosed ahead with around 1,000m to go to secure its first win in Malta from Nabab du Chatelet (Charles Camilleri).

Ourasi Diams (Emmanuel Fenech) and TX Zoogood (Clint Vassallo) claimed the other top-four positions.

French newcomer Oeillet De Phens (Rodney Gatt) led all the way in the Gold race, winning by a length from XRay Hornline (Donio Vella).

In the three Silver Class races, Ocean Brillouard (Noel Baldacchino) recorded its second win of the year, Quartz Clayettois (Carl Caruana) took its first win in Malta after increasing its speed midway through the final straight and, in the last race, Sandrone (Jason Vassallo) surged ahead 100m from the end.

Another programme will be held this evening, starting at 6.30pm.

Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Bronze – Quintin Malin (Julian Farrugia) 1.19.4”.
Race 2: Silver – Ocean Brillouard (Noel Baldacchino) 1.19.2”.
Race 3: Malta-Alkmaar Amateur Race – Nerlo Villetot (Julian Farrugia) 1.18.6”.
Race 4: Silver – Quartz Clayettois (Carl Caruana) 1.18.9”.
Race 5: Malta-Alkmaar Amateur Race – Quio De Nappes (Julian Farrugia) 1.17.8”.
Race 6: Gold – Oeillet De Phens (Rodney Gatt) 1.17.2”.
Race 7: Premier – The Bad Rock (Rodney Gatt) 1.16.9”.
Race 8: Silver – Sandrone (Jason Vassallo) – 1.18.9”.

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