Tazza l-Kbira gets underway

The Tazza l-Kbira, sponsored by Emirates, commenced yesterday when the opening eight heats were run at Marsa.

Noel Baldacchino was the meeting's best driver with two wins.

Bello Fratello (Anthony Spagnol) made a strong dash along the final straight to win the first heat ahead of Lys De L'Oasis and Kain Poifond.

An attack initiated some 400m from the end enabled Lajos Useful to pass the post first in the next heat but the winner was disqualified. First place was awarded to Loulou De Lamee (Charles Camilleri), Race Ball was promoted to second and third place went to Aces Americ.

Intrus Des Rioults looked set to win the third heat but was overtaken at the post by eventual winner Loustic D'Anjou (Rodney Gatt).

Biggles Coquet was third.

In the fourth heat, Le Bon Mayennais (Clifforty Calleja) registered its second win on the trot. Lord The Best entered second while Lindsay Neve was third.

Label Pont Vautier (Charles Debono) enjoyed an excellent start to local racing by winning heat five after increasing its pace some 800m from the end. Lusty Ball and Kakisis finished second and third respectively.

L'As De Seuilly was the first horse to stride past the post in heat six but this trotter was disqualified. Joker De Choisel (Frenċu Cassar) was handed first place, second spot went to Liosco Atout while In Vitro Du Bourg claimed third.

James De L'Iton (Baldacchino) registered quite an easy five-length win in the seventh heat after taking an early lead. Kojak D'Isques was runner-up while Arnie Sensation had to settle for third.

In the eighth and final heat, Lovely Mab, driven by Baldacchino, overtook two other trotters in the final metres to take first place. Hiracan De Brehan and Litchi Du Vivier were second and third respectively.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze, Jean De Bannes (C. Debono).

Race 2: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 1, Bello Fratello (A. Spagnol).

Race 3: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 2, Loulou De Lamee (C. Camilleri).

Race 4: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 3, Loustic D'Anjou (R. Gatt).

Race 5: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 4, Le Bon Mayennais (C. Calleja).

Race 6: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 5, Label Pont Vautier (C. Debono).

Race 7: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 6, Joker De Choisel (F. Cassar).

Race 8: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 7, James De L'Iton (N. Baldacchino).

Race 9: Tazza l-Kbira Heat 8, Lovely Mab (N. Baldacchino).