Iris Du Louvet wins first Premier race of 2009 season

The 2009 horse racing season got underway yesterday at the Marsa Racetrack with a card made up of nine trotting events on the 2,140m distance plus a flat Class A race on 1,750 metres.

As usual, the Premier class was the programme's main attraction. Noel Baldacchino and Charles Camilleri finished the day as best drivers after recording two wins apiece.

Iris Du Louvet, driven by current champion driver Baldacchino, snatched the lead at the entrance to the final straight and cruised to a two length-win in the Premier event. Kheops D'Ariane tried to keep up the pace with the leading horse but had to settle for second place. Intrus Des Riouts was third horse in.

Four trotters dashed closely together along the last 100 metres of the first Gold race. Poker Noon controlled by Gozitan driver Julian Farrugia, was first past the post with Knight Brunel, in its third race in Malta, finishing second. Third place went to Lindsay Neve.

In the second Gold event, Brian Zammit's Solid V.G. managed to lead for virtually the whole distance to obtain an easy win. O'Haras Arrow claimed second place and Regal Trot was third.

Top position changed hands three times in the flat Class A race until Just The Best, directed by Ramon Grima, jumped into the lead and stormed past the post first. The winning horse was followed by Docklands Brian and newcomer Silence Caresse in that order.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 1.30 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Copper, 2,140m - Happy Foot (J. Schembri).

Race 2: Bronze, 2,140m - Ex Air (C. Camilleri).

Race 3: Bronze, 2,140m - Rocky Briljant (A. Magro).

Race 4: Flat, 1,750m - Just The Best (R. Grima).

Race 5: Silver, 2,140m - Jet Starline (M. Fenech).

Race 6: Gold, 2,140m - Poker Noon (J. Farrugia).

Race 7: Silver, 2,140m - Lawrence Crown (N. Baldacchino).

Race 8: Premier, 2,140m - Iris Du Louvet (N. Baldacchino).

Race 9: Gold, 2,140m - Solid V.G. (B. Zammit).

Race 10: Silver, 2,140m - Louise Lucky Sea (C. Camilleri).