Three firsts for Gatt
Young driver Rodney Gatt stole the show at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday after chalking up three victories in different races in a packed afternoon of races that included four semi-finals from the Assikura Championships, for A and B trotters, held over...
Young driver Rodney Gatt stole the show at the Marsa Racetrack yesterday after chalking up three victories in different races in a packed afternoon of races that included four semi-finals from the Assikura Championships, for A and B trotters, held over 2,140 metres.
The other races in the programme were from Premier, Gold, Silver and Bronze classes and there were also two Copper events on the rather long 2,640m distance, sponsored by Polidano Group.
The Premier race had quite a nail-biting finish with four trotters dashing closely together along the final straight.
At the post, however, Gatt's Loustic d'Anjou was first followed by Loulou de Lame and Land Havaroche.
The Gold race was won by Lascar Beaujolais (Clive Gerada). This trotter led for almost the entire distance.
Count of Life (Michael Ellul) won the first Assikura Open A semi-final. It was followed closely by Freedom As, Espace Aerien, Castor Pollux and Falco all qualifying to the final in that order.
Another close finish brought to a close the other Open A semi-final. This time it was Socrates (James Briffa) that got the better of Lecobell and Indian Attack. Uno Wielinga and Bodrero also qualified.
Royal Crafts K looked set to win the first Assikura Open B semi-final after leading for most of the race. However, this trotter was pipped to the post by Blokkeblomst (George Attard). Lakume Simon, Great Line and Dark Oman finished behind the leading duo.
In the second Open B semi-final, High Speed Night (Charles Camilleri) finished strongly to fend off the challenge of Gandhi Brogard. Zut, Jet Star and Frokjaer Toj also booked a place in the final.
The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Yesterday's winners
Race 1: Copper, Word Xing (R. Gatt).
Race 2: Copper, Spice Boy (S. Portelli).
Race 3: Bronze, Serina Girl (R. Gatt).
Race 4: Open B semi-final, Blokkeblomst (G. Attard).
Race 5: Open B semi-final, High Speed Night (C. Camilleri).
Race 6: Premier, Loustic d'Anjou (R. Gatt).
Race 7: Open A semi-final, Count Of Life (M. Ellul).
Race 8: Open A semi-final, Socrates (J. Briffa).
Race 9: Gold, Lascar Beaujolais (C. Gerada).
Race 10: Silver, Vision Star (M. Refalo).