The three semi-final races from the Tazza l-Kbira were the main attraction of yesterday afternoon’s 5th Spring meeting at the Marsa racetrack. The card included nine races, all for trotters, and held on a long distance of 2,640m.
There were 12 places up for grabs for the Tazza l-Kbira final.
In the first semi-final, there was a keen tussle between four trotters.
Quiet Way (Charles Degiorgio), Pouloud Keroc’H (Chris Vassallo), Perceval (Frenċu Cassar) and Pacha De La Frette (Claudio Refalo) produced a tight finish with Pouloud Keroc’H declared as the winner after the photofinish was consulted by the racing stewards.
The Bad Rock (Rodney Gatt) was unchallenged for most of the distance during the second semi final.
In the final metres, this Swedish eleven-year-old trotter preserved its advantage of two lengths to triumph from Sultan November (Shawn Portelli) and gain its first win.
Poppes Fighter (Paul Galea) and Madam Di Poggio (Julian Farrugia) also made it to the final.
Oran (Julian Farrugia) took its second win of the year after dashing strongly from the outside midway through the final straight of the third and last semi final.
Favourite Pat De Fontaine (Noel Baldacchino), Cloria Victis (Charles Degiorgio) and Oltedo De Rieux (Frencu Cassar) followed home in that order.
The winner clocked an impressive average time of 1.14.4” per kilometre.
The next racing meeting at Marsa is scheduled for next Saturday.
The first race starts at 1.30pm.
Yesterday’s winners.
Race 1: Class Copper – Uranium Des Arkads (Kurt Saliba) – 1.18.7”
Race 2: Class Silver – Rasting Celina (Julian Farrugia) – 1.16.8”
Race 3: Class Bronze – Norfolk De Gouerie (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.17.3”
Race 4: BOV Tazza l-Kbira SF – Pouloud Keroc’H (Chris Vassallo) – 1.15.3”
Race 5: Class Bronze – Prince Du Mou-tier (Raymond Schembri) – 1.19.5”
Race 6: BOV Tazza l-Kbira SF –The Bad Rock (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.1”
Race 7: Class Gold – Qadjar Turgot (Mark Mifsud) – 1.17.8”
Race 8: BOV Tazza l-Kbira SF – Oran (Julian Farrugia) – 1.14.4”
Race 9: Class Silver – Quirinus Vrie (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.17.9”