Yesterday’s meeting at the Marsa Racetrack marked the start of the prestigious Tazza l-Kbira competition with three trotting heats on a long distance of 2,640 metres
These heats formed part of the second Spring meeting, made up of eight races all for trotters.
These were won by French horses Perceval, Pacha De La Frette and Pat De Fontaine. Veteran driver Frenċu Cassar stole the limelight after winning two of the three Tazza l-Kbira heats.
This year’s competition enjoys the financial support of Bank of Valletta. From every heat, six horses qualified for the semi-final stage.
In the first heat, French Perceval, driven by Frenċu Cassar (see picture above) surged ahead on the outside with 400 metres to go to secure its first win in Malta by two lengths from Tap Dance (Michael Ellul) and Madam Di Poggio (Julian Farrugia).
Quiet Way (Charles Degiorgio), Chiara Sisu (Melvin Farrugia) and Poulot Des Cinty (Clint Vassallo) also made it to the semi-finals.
Pacha De La Frette also obtained its first win at the Marsa Racetrack in the second heat. This French trotter led all the way, prevailing by a-length-and-a-half from Prieure (Charles Camilleri) and Poppes Fighter (Paul Galea).
Arnie Sensation (Carmelo Farrugia), Ourasi Diams (Anthony Fenech) and Shakira Trot (Rodney Gatt) also advanced to the semi-finals. Pacha De La Frette and Preiure are both owned by Julian Bezzina.
In the third and final heat, the early leader, The Bad Rock (Rodney Gatt), ran out of steam midway into the final straight.
This horse was overtaken by Pat De Fontaine (Frenċu Cassar) which also chalked up its first win on the islands.
Pouloud Keroc’H (Chris Vassallo), Oran (Julian Farrugia), Cloria Victis (Charles Degiorgio) and Midnight Passion (Eric Bezzina) followed home in that order.
The Tazza l-Kbira continues this afternoon with two other heats which are part of the 13th meeting of the year.
Today’s programme consists of eight races with the first one, open for Copper Class trotters, starting at 1.45pm.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1: Copper, Uranium Des Arkads (Kurt Saliba) – 1.18”.
Race 2: Copper, Mystic River (Felix Casha) – 1.17.9”.
Race 3: Heat Tazza l-Kbira competition, Perceval (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.16”.
Race 4: Bronze, Querido Censerie (Charles Degiorgio) – 1.17.2”.
Race 5: Heat Tazza l-Kbira competition, Pacha De La Frette (Claudio Refalo) – 1.17.9”.
Race 6: Silver, Reveal Champ Blanc (Omar Cauchi) – 1.17.5”.
Race 7: Heat Tazza l-Kbira competition, Pat De Fontaine (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.15.3”.
Race 8: Silver, Niffi (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.9”.