Yesterday’s 41st meeting of the season heralded the start of the President’s Cup Championship for Premier Class trotters. From the four heats in programme, 20 horses qualified for the semi-final stage.

In the first championship race, early leader Wee Catch Diamond (Julian Farrugia) ran out of steam midway through the final straight.

The German nine-year-old trotter was overtaken by Cloria Victis (Caillin Borg) which secured its second win of the year, a length ahead of Ripsos De Fa (Ivan Bilocca).

Fourth-placed Vasterbo Paradise (Claudio Refalo) and Palazio Valterne (David Ellul) also qualified.

In the next heat, Carmelo Farrugia put Quartz De Vindecy in front with a lap to go and the pre-race favourite lived up to its billing when chalking up a fourth win in a row and fifth at Marsa.

Quartz De Vindecy cruised to the finish line, some four lengths ahead of runner-up Ohime Mag (Julian Farrugia). Reve De L’Odon (Frank Portelli), Zalgado Transs R (Nic-holas Bonello) and Orcas Bac (Rodney Gatt) followed in that order.

The race winner clocked an average time of 1.14.2” per kilometre.

Danish Nico Oland (Julian Farrugia) upped its pace around 500m away from the post in the third championship heat.

Farrugia’s trotter eventually won its fourth win of the year and third on the trot easily by two lengths from Mad Image (Noel Baldacchino) and Pouloud Keroc’H (Chris Vassallo).

Shakira Trot (Nathaniel Barbara) and Gently Di Poggio (Brian Hili) also progressed to the semi-final stage.

In the remaining President’s Cup heat, Quorum Quick (Brian Zammit) led all the way to seal its second win in Malta, finishing a length in front of Quo Williams (Julian Farrugia).

Quillian Joyeux (Andrew Farrugia) and French newcomers Rio De Lou (Marvin Cauchi) and Rainbow Dancer (Michael Ellul) were the last horses to make it to the next stage.

The winners

Race 1: Copper – Buckens Stjarna (Toni Tanti) – 1.19.5”
Race 2: Gold – Signe (James Carabott) – 1.15.6”
Race 3: President’s Cup heat, Premier – Cloria Victis (Caillin Borg) – 1.15”
Race 4: Gold – Roseau Du Hamel (Paul Galea) – 1.15.2”
Race 5: President’s Cup heat, Premier – Quartz De Vindecy (Carmelo Farrugia) – 1.14.2”
Race 6: Gold – Big Ben (Salvu Cutajar) – 1.16.3”
Race 7: President’s Cup heat, Premier – Nico Oland (Julian Farrugia) – 1.15.9”
Race 8: President’s Cup heat, Premier – Quorum Quick (Brian Zammit) – 1.14.7”

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