The major events during yesterday’s 50th meeting of the season were four heats from the Prix De Vincennes championship for class Premier French trotters on a long distance of 2640m.
This programme consisted of ten races all for trotters. From the four class Premier heats 24 horses qualified for the semifinal stage.
Noel Baldacchino finished the best driver with four wins.
Ten trotters took part in the first class Premier heat. Here, Rififi Nonantais (Rodney Gatt) sealed its second win of the year after outsmarting popular Service Secret (Andrew Farrugia) midway through the final straight.
Thoury Le King (Clint Vassallo) finished in third place from Royal De Vaiges (David Ellul). The early leader Ricky Rock (Julian Farrugia) and Sephiro Flam (Clifton Farrugia) also made it for the next stage.
In the second class Premier heat, Noel Baldacchino put Twist Des Baux in front with a lap to go.
This trotter was unchallenged during the final metres and gained its first first win in Malta easily by ten lengths from Quartz De Vindecy (Carmelo Farrugia), favourite Tip Top Nelliere (David Ellul) and Spirit Des Logos (Carmelo Agius).
Temps Perdu (Herman Mc Kay) and Unrefundable (Anton Cassar) followed behind in that order.
Tonio Du Vivier (Charles Camilleri) upped its pace during the last 600m of the third class Premier heat.
Camilleri’s trotter notched to its second win in a row by a length from Un Vent d’Ouest (Noel Baldacchino) and Tipol De Nappes (Michael Ghigo).
Uhal Berven (Rodney Gatt), Swan Des Tesnieres (Daniel Hili) and Va Petit Mousse (Anton Cassar) claimed the other top positions.
In the fourth and last class Premier heat there was a keen tussle in the final straight between Ruy Blas d’Ariane (Rodney Gatt) and Tanguy De Nappes (Julian Farrugia).
It was the former which took its second win of the season with Tender And True (Ramon Briffa), Saphir Du Perche (Clifferty Calleja) and the newcomers Tino De Tortiere (Salvu Cutajar) and Troll (Andrew Farrugia) being the last horses to qualify for the next stage.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Sunday, The first race should start at 1.30pm.
Sunday’s winners
Race 1. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. Un Defi Cordiere (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.9”
Race 2. Prix De Cabourg Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. Uzumaki Tejy (Charles Camilleri) – 1.19.5”
Race 3. Prix De Cabourg Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. Udon d’Occagnes (Tony Demanuele) – 1.18.1”
Race 4. Prix De Vincennes Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. Rififi Nonantais (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.5”
Race 5. Prix De Vincennes Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. Twist Des Baux (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.5”
Race 6. Prix d’Enghien Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. Un Reve d’Or (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.6”
Race 7. Prix De Vincennes Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. Tonio Du Vivier (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16.9”
Race 8. Prix d’Enghien Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. Supreme De Corday (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.6”
Race 9. Prix De Vincennes Heat. Klassi Premier. Dist – 2640m. Ruy Blas d’Ariane (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.9”
Race 10. Prix d’Enghien Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. Uu Du Metz (Charles Camilleri) – 1.17.8”