Zammit rides Monashee Prince to victory

The Coronation Cup final, sponsored by McDonald's, was the top event in yesterday afternoon's programme of racing at the Marsa Racetrack. The flat competition was open for Class A and B racers.

The card also included a Premier Class race, on the 2,140m distance, and the opening heats from the U*Bet Championship for Swedish trotters. Noel Baldacchino was the meeting's best driver with three wins.

The Coronation Cup final had an eventful start when jockey Louis Azzopardi fell off his mount, Montefiore. Azzopardi escaped injury as the race developed into a tight tussle all along the 1,250m distance.

At the finish line, Eric Zammit's Monashee Prince was first after retaining the leading position for most of the distance.

Monashee Prince was followed home by Alassien and Genievre in that order.

The Premier Class race was not attached to any particular competition. Nevertheless, the race did attract the interest of those present.

It was quite an open contest up until the entrance to the final straight. At that juncture, a duel developed between Frasse Filiokus and Bello Fratello. The former trotter, yesterday driven by Anthony Spagnol, went on to claim the honours.

Arnie Sensation was third behind Bello Fratello.

In Heat 1 of the U*Bet Championship, in the Gold category, no fewer than five trotters occupied first position at one time or another during the race. Then, some 100m away from the post, James Briffa's Hudson Blue jumped into the lead to win rather comfortably ahead of Quick Cape. Angel Victory and Biggles Coquet also made it to the final.

In the other heat from the Gold class, Schejken Bill (Christian Xerri) initiated a final attack 400m from the finish line before winning the race, a length ahead of Mr Playstation. Race Ball and Nolan Streamline also made it to the next round of the competition.

The next meeting at Marsa is scheduled for Friday, first race at 6 p.m.

2009 Awards

In Vitro Du Bourg was yesterday declared the most consistent horse for 2009. Charles Camilleri was named the best driver last year and Rodney Gatt best apprentice for the same season.

Michael Sultana won the best jockey award for 2009 and Klarsch was declared best flat runner.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Silver, Match de Bannes (N. Baldacchino).
Race 2: Silver heat, Prince Brillance (N. Baldacchino).
Race 3: Gold heat, Hudson Blue (J. Briffa).
Race 4: Silver heat, Lex (C. Debono).
Race 5: Gold heat, Schejken Bill (C. Xerri).
Race 6: Premier, Frasse Filiokus (A. Spagnol).
Race 7: Coronation Cup final, Monashee Prince (E. Zammit).
Race 8: Silver class, championship heat, Ruchbah (N. Baldacchino).
Race 9: Silver heat, G. Force Son (C. Caruana).
Race 10: Silver heat, Notice As (R. Gatt).