The highlight of yesterday’s programme at the Marsa Racetrack was the Ray Auto Dealer Challenge Cup final for Silver Class trotters on a short distance of 2,140m.
This race formed part of the 14th meeting of the season, made up of nine races all for trotters.
Twelve horses lined up for the Silver Class final.
It was Swedish mare Roma M (Paul Galea) which stormed clearly ahead in the early stages, opening a half-length’s lead from Quatre De Coeur (Julian Farrugia) and Quid De La Muette (Noel Baldacchino).
But with around 600 metres to go, Roma M ran out of steam and was overtaken by no fewer than five horses among whom Zizazimoko (Tony Demanuele) and Quioco Dry (Joseph Galea) who sprinted neck and neck to the post.
The finish was tight and the racing stewards had to consult the photo finish to determine a winner.
Victory was eventually awarded to Dutch mare Zizazimoko. Quioco Dry was second ahead of Ollico Pellois (Ludvic Ghigo) and Ringo Flower (Charles Camilleri).
At the end of the race, Gabriel Micallef, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the trophy to driver Demanuele.
Yesterday’s card also included two races for Gold Class trotters.
New Star DK (Rodney Gatt) secured its first win at Marsa in the first Gold race as this Danish trotter stepped up its pace around 900m from the post for a great finish.
New Star DK triumphed easily ahead of Ouest Mabon (Shawn Portelli), Malewe (Carl Caruana) and Quio De Nappes (Julian Farrugia) in that order.
There was a close tussle between four horses in the final metres of the other Gold Class race.
It was Austrian Blizzard Ad (Frenċu Cassar) that hit the front in the last 100m before winning its first race of the year by more than a length from Wies Buitenzorg (Eric Bezzina).
Nagano Phedo (Mario Fenech) and Pepito Flash (Michael Ellul) followed home in third and fourth places respectively.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Bronze. Pacha De Sassy (Omar Cauchi) – 1.17.4”
Race 2. Silver. Qumran De La Motte (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.16.1”
Race 3. Bronze. Mezio Josselyn (Victor Fenech) – 1.18.7”
Race 4. Gold. New Star DK (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.1”
Race 5. Silver. Quiquafini (Jonathan Farrugia) – 1.16.2”
Race 6. Gold. Blizzard Ad (Frenċu Cassar) – 1.15.4”
Race 7. Silver. Zizazimoko (Tony Demanuele) – 1.16.7”
Race 8. Silver. Razor Shadow (Gordon Dahl – Denmark) – 1.16.5”
Race 9. Silver. Quattro Du Gite (Julian Farrugia) – 1.17.1”