Newcomer Bello Fratello first in Gold 1 race at Marsa

There were only seven races incorporated in yesterday's card for the third meeting of the year at the Marsa Racetrack - six races for trotters, on the 2,140m distance, and a flat race on 1,250m.

As there was no Premier race, the two from the Gold division were the main attractions of the afternoon which had Noel Baldacchino as best driver with two wins.

The Gold 1 race developed into a tussle along the final straight between three trotters with the post reached first by Baldacchino's Bello Fratello, an 11-year-old Swedish horse. Kelso Bricois and Zorro Tune placed second and third respectively.

Permit Hanover, driven by Baldacchino, won the Gold 4 race. However, this winner had to go all out in the last 100m to withstand the final efforts of Kaki Du Vivier and Hermes D'Haufor. The latter were second and third in that order.

Reslovs Stranden and New Kid in Town were involved in a duel in the last metres of the Silver 2. At the post, it was the former, under the control of Joe Muscat, which just had the better on the day.

Lauro Bartolo drove Giant Hunter to victory in the Bronze 2 race after grasping the lead midway through the distance.

Il Est Des Ajons, controlled by Clive Gerada, increased its pace along the last 150m to clinch first place in the Bronze 3 race.

In Bronze 5, Elgim Stromline led from start up to the entrance to the final straight where it broke and got disqualified, opening the way for Classico, driven by Charles Camilleri, to win just ahead of Mackarena Goy.

The flat race for Classes A/B included three newcomers from the eight in competition. None of them won although two managed to place.

The race winner was favourite Pour l'Amour after going into the lead some 800m from the post. At the end of the race, Pour l'Amour's ride, Mathew Mallia, finished on the ground.

He was whisked away by an ambulance even though he did not appear to suffer any serious injury.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 5, 2,140m - Classico (C. Camilleri).
Race 2: Bronze 3, 2,140m - Il Est Des Ajons (C. Gerada).
Race 3: Bronze 2, 2,140m - Giant Hunter (L. Bartolo).
Race 4: Flat, 1,250m - Pour l'Amour (M. Mallia).
Race 5: Gold 1, 2,140m - Bello Fratello (N. Baldacchino).
Race 6: Gold 4, 2,140m - Permit Hanover (N. Baldacchino).
Race 7: Silver 2, 2,140m - Reslovs Stranden (J. Muscat).