The 6th and the 7th meeting of the season which were held during the weekend heralded the start of the South Region Local Council Championship for class Premier trotters with four heats on a short distance of 2140m. These heats were won by Blackaro, Swedish newcomer Gambit Brodde, Damour Jiel, and Charming Soldier.
From the class Premier heats twelve trotters made it to the final stage. The early leader of the first heat, Caviar Du Vivier (Ludvic Ghigo) ran out of steam when the front horses turned for their final straight. This was overtaken by Blackaro (Dylan Gatt) which took its first win in Malta by a length from Firejack De Viette (Caillin Borg) and Hunter Montana (Tony Demanuele). Caviar Du Vivier had to settle for fourth place.
Swedish debutante Gambit Brodde (Julian Farrugia) was unchallenged for most of the 2140m distance of the second class Premier heat. Farrugia’s trotter past the finishing post first easily by a length and a half from Infinite Knight (Charles Degiorgio), Viking’s Topline (Eugenio Bondin), and Tzatziki (Paul Galea).
Damour Jiel (Cliferty Calleja) also sealed its first win in Malta in the third heat which was held on Sunday. This French trotter led all the way and triumphed after sustaining the challenges of Cristal Pierji (George Attard) and Concerto Royal (Charles Camilleri). Diza Du Courtille (Ivan Stivala) followed home in that order.
There was a keen tussle between four trotters in the final straight of the fourth and last class Premier heat. Eventually, it was Charming Soldier (Paul Galea) which gained its first win of the season by half length from favourite Ellington Dream (Charles Camilleri) and Carnaval Du Vivier (Caillin Borg). Diablo d’Herfraie (Rodney Gatt) also obtained a good place after finishing in fourth place.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Sunday. The first race should start at 1.30pm.
Saturday’s winners
Race 1. ClassCopper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Dennis Rose P.J. (Marco Debono) – 1.17.1”
Race 2. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Ideal Pierji (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.16.7”
Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Elegant De Magny (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.2”
Race 4. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Gayle Galbe (Clint Vassallo) – 1.15.2”
Race 5. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Guarda (Mark Mifsud) – 1.16”
Race 6. South Region Local Council Championship Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Blackaro (Dylan Gatt) – 1.14.1”
Race 7. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Caline De Mai Capo (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.6”
Race 8. South Region Local Council Championship Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gambit Brodde (Julian Farrugia) – 1.14.5”
Race 9. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Defi Nay (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.3”
Sunday
Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Gringo Marancourt (Kirsten Axisa) – NTR
Race 2. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Heros De Connee (James Briffa) – 1.18.2”
Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Gaia Lucaxelo (Paul Galea) – 1.17.7”
Race 4. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Hendy d’Auberville (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.4”
Race 5. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Crack Des Bas (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.17.2”
Race 6. South Region Local Council Championship Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Damour Jiel (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.15”
Race 7. Class Klassi Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Giggs Boko (Charlton Gauci) – 1.17”
Race 8. South Region Local Council Championship Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Charming Soldier (Paul Galea) – 1.14.2” Race 9. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Du Snob (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.2”
