Sunday’s meeting at the Marsa Racetrack heralded the start of the new 2021 horse racing season.
The programme consisted of eleven trotters all for trotters.
The two major events were class Premier races which were won by Caid De Bengale and Eagle B Butcher, respectively. Sixteen-year-old Cherise Farrugia finished as the best driver of the day with three wins.
Nine trotters lined up for the first class Premier race.
Castle Rose (Marco Debono) was the fastest horse at first, opening a small lead from Caid De Bengale (Cherise Farrugia) and Vindaloo (Mario Farrugia).
However, with 200m to go, Castle Rose started to slow down and in the middle of the final straight was overtaken by Caid De Bengale which sealed its second win in Malta.
Castle Rose has to settle for the second place from Sandsjons Revenue (Charles Camilleri) and Albanien (Ian Galea).
There was a a close finish between Ulysse Du Bouchet (Redent Magro) and Eagle B Butcher (Jesmar Gafa’) in the second class Premier race.
The win was awarded to the latter after that the photofinish had to be consulted, while Ulysse Du Bouchet was disqualified.
Crack Du Tillet (Andrew Farrugia) ended in second place. French newcomer Carlo De Carsi (Charles Camilleri) and Byron Du Klau (Carmelo Agius) followed home in that order.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Sunday. The first race should start at 1pm.
Yesterday’s winners
Race 1. Class Copper – Febus Du Juille (Kurt Saliba) – 1.18.1”
Race 2. Class Copper – Frisquette Snob (Raymond Schembri) – 1.19.5”
Race 3. Class Bronze – Erromanga (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.19.4”
Race 4. Class Bronze – Jaccaroo (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.18.8”
Race 5. Class Silver – Paradox (Charles Camilleri) – 1.18.2”
Race 6. Class Gold – Alcibiade (Patrick Spiteri) – 1.17.6”
Race 7. Class Silver – Ubu Du Metz (Clifferty Calleja) – 1.19.3”
Race 8. Class Premier – Caid De Bengale (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.18.9”
Race 9. Class Gold – Armani S. (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.17.4”
Race 10. Class Premier – Eagle B Butcher (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.18.5”
Race 11. Class Silver – Hallas Judex (Charles Magro) – 1.18.8”
