Emirates backing It-Tazza l-Kbira

The prestigious It-Tazza l-Kbira championship will be sponsored by Emirates Airlines for the second year running, the Malta Racing Club (MRC) announced yesterday.

Given that It-Tazza l-Kbira is open to all trotters, regardless of class and origin, the title-holder is considered as the best horse in Malta.

This year's list includes 92 entries and the first heats are scheduled for February 28 in the lead-up to the final on April 11.

In a conference call at Marsa, Dr Matthew Brincat, MRC chairman, expressed his satisfaction for having lured the sponsorship and Emirates' commitment to continue supporting this top-notch championship.

"We are very happy to have secured this partnership with such high-profile sponsors for a second year running. Emirates' involvement makes It-Tazza l-Kbira, first run in 1934, more lucrative and prestigious for Maltese horse owners," Dr Brincat said.

"This agreement also shows that all the enthusiasm and hard work the club put in last year has paid good dividends."

New date for final

"In previous years this competition used to reach a climax on Easter Sunday but this time round we decided to hold the final a week later to attract more people to the racetrack," Dr Brincat added.

Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates manager for Malta and Cyprus, explained the importance that the organisation he represents gives to sport.

The Dubai-based airlines sponsor a variety of sporting events, ranging from football and rugby to golf, tennis, cricket and sailing.

"This renewed deal shows our commitment towards horse racing on Maltese shores and we hope that next year we will have the opportunity to support this championship once again," he said.

"Emirates are deeply involved in horse racing worldwide, sponsoring top-level events such as the Melbourne Cup and the Dubai World Cup."

A total of €3,900 will be distributed in prize-money with €2,500 alone going for the winner besides trophies and the Emirates-sponsored blanket to the top trotter on the day.

Last year's winner was James De L'Iton, driven by Noel Baldacchino.