Eight-year-old Charming Soldier won Sunday’s major event at the Marsa Racetrack. This was the 2021 edition of the Johnnie Walker Cup final for class Gold trotters on a short distance of 2140m.
This final formed part of the 36th meeting of the season consisting of ten races all for trotters.
Sunday’s event also included two races for French trotters registered in class Premier on the same distance. These were respectively won by Alf De Melandre and Dunbar.
Twelve trotters lined up for the class Gold final. Vangiskan Scott (Brian Zammit) was the fastest horse at first, opening a small lead from Appreciated (Rodney Gatt) and Charming Soldier (Paul Galea). However, when the front horses turned for their final straight, Vangiskan Scott ran out of speed and was outsmarted by Charming Soldier which took its second win of the season after sustaining the challenge of Xceed G.T. (Redent Magro). Avenir d’Or (Cherise Farrugia) and Appreciated (Rodney Gatt) also obtained a good place.
At the end of the class Gold final, Mr. Alfred Braddick, on behalf of the sponsors presented the cup to Messrs Caruana and to Paul Galea, the owners and driver respectively of the winning horse.
This was in the presence of Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi, who is the chairman of the Malta Racing Club and Equestri Malta. It should be noted that last year, this competition was also won by Paul Galea with Neverendingdream.
In the first class Premier race, Rodney Gatt increased its pace and took the lead with 700m to go. This French trotter sealed its first win of the year by a length and a half from Abercrombis (Noel Baldacchino). Vichenko Chef (Paul Galea) and Valseme (Jason Zahra) followed home in that order.
The early leader of the second-class Premier race, Capitole Meslois (Rodney Gatt), started to slow down 300m from the finishing line. This French trotter was eventually overtaken by Dunbar (Redent Magro) which registered its second win in a row and in Malta from Beau De Morgane (Marco Debono) and Baxter Du Klau (Noel Baldacchino). Capital Majyc (Cherise Farrugia) ended in fourth place.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held next Sunday. The first race should start at 1pm.
Sunday’s winners
Race 1. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Greatandeasy C.C. (Nelson Azzopardi) – 1.17.7”
Race 2. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m 1. Etel Du Pilet (Paul Galea) – 1.16.2”
Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Diego JYL (Jason Zahra) – 1.16.2”
Race 4. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Keep Me Tooma (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.15.1”
Race 5. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Alf De Melandre (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.7”
Race 6. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Nose Gear (Andrew Farrugia) – 1.16.4”
Race 7. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dunbar (Redent Magro) – 1.14.5”
Race 8. Johnnie Walker Cup Final. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Charming Soldier (Paul Galea) – 1.14.1”
Race 9. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Atout De Montbrun (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.14.8”
Race 10. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Skogans Lotten (John Vella) – 1.15.3”
