Eleven-year-old French trotter Okilaibo won yesterday’s top event, the VOB Grand Final for Premier Class trotters, on a long distance of 2,640 metres.
This final formed part of the 53rd and last meeting of the year, made up of nine races all for trotters.
Eleven horses lined up for the VOB Grand Final.
It was Cloria Victis (Charles Degiorgio) which set the early pace, opening a slight lead from Gently Di Poggio (Brian Zammit).
Okilaibo (Julian Farrugia) began to increase its pace with a lap to go. In the home straight, Cloria Victis was unable to fend off the challenge of Okilaibo as Farrugia’s trotter secured its sixth win of the year by half-a-length.
Ohime Mag (Ronald Cassar) and Poppes Fighter (Michael Ellul) finished third and fourth respectively.
Okilaibo clocked an excellent average time of 1.14.2” per kilometre.
After the final, Twanny Scicluna, Patrick Cachia and Raymond Schembri, on behalf of the bookmakers at the racetrack, presented the winning trophy to Joseph Seychell and Farrugia, Okilaibo’s owner and driver respectively.
In yesterday’s remaining races, over a short distance of 2,140m, the horses were driven by their owners.
In the Premier Class race, Danish newcomer and early leader Playboy C.H. (Anton Pace) started to slow down around 500m from the end. This horse was overtaken by Swedish debutant P.A. Surprise, driven by Lorraine Cunningham.
P.A. Surprise claimed its first win in Malta easily by six lengths from Arnie Sensation (Redeemer Farrugia) and Pro Shop (Christian Casha). Shakira Trot (Francois Zammit) was fourth.
In the Gold race, Simb Tyrant (Mark Tanti) upped its pace around 300m from the finish line to take its first win of the year from Rapide Du Matin (Emmanuel Spiteri) and Happiness Photo (Noel Azzopardi). Fourth place went to Oscarina (Kurt Farrugia).
Yesterday afternoon, the Malta Racing Club honoured the drivers, jockeys and owners who distinguished themselves in 2013.
Noel Baldacchino was presented with a commemorative plaque after retaining the best driver of the year honour; Rodney Gatt was voted best Under-25 driver and Michael Sultana best jockey.
Other trophies were handed out to the owners of trotter Andri Boko and flat horse Timolin as these were the most consistent horses this year.
A special prize was given to Charles Grech, owner of veteran flat horse Managing Director, winner of the prestigious Mediterranean Derby for a record five consecutive years.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Loulou De La Rose (James Falzon) – 1.19.1”.
Race 2: Bronze, Bella Notte (Nathaniel Barbara) – 1.18.6”.
Race 3: Silver, Milano Du Gite (Alex Cortis) – 1.15.5”.
Race 4: Bronze, Mystic River (Felix Casha) – 1.17.8”.
Race 5: Gold, Simb Tyrant (Mark Tanti) – 1.15.5”.
Race 6: Premier, P.A. Surprise (Lorraine Cunningham) – 1.15.6”.
Race 7: Silver, Command Coger (Jean Pierre Farrugia) – 1.17.5”.
Race 8: VOB Grand Final, Okilaibo (Julian Farrugia) – 1.14.2”.
Race 9: Silver, Darco As (Mark Tanti) – 1.17.4”.