The 41st meeting of the season, which was held on Wednesday evening at the Marsa Racetrack, included the two semi-final races from the President’s Cup championship for class Premier trotters on a short distance of 2,140m.
These races were won by Pablo Andover and Duke Of Mearas. Wednesday’s card consisted of 11 races all for trotters.
From the two semi-finals, 12 horses made it to the final stage.
In the first class Premier semi-final, Sir Q.C. (Rodney Gatt) went in front after the official start of the race and immediately opened a small lead from Castle Rose (Marco Debono) and Glen Ord Superb (Kurt Saliba).
However, when the front horses turned for their final straight, the early leader ran out of steam and was overtaken by Pablo Andover (Daniel Hili) which gained its second win in Malta by half length from favourite Romanesque (Jesmar Gafa’).
Sir Q.C. had to settle for third place from Vakato (Chris Grech), Glen Ord Superb and I Won’t Dance (Michael Ellul).
There was a keen duel in the final straight of the second semi-final between Baron De Majuag (Gianluca Grech), which took the lead with a lap to go, and Duke Of Mearas (Ludvic Ghigo) which increased its speed 300m from the end.
It was the latter which sealed its first win in Malta. Gross Weight (Noel Baldacchino), Viking’s Topline (Eugenio Bondin), Kasper Trot (Rodney Gatt) and Liam Dana (Charles Camilleri) were the last trotters to make it to the final stage.
Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Saturday. The first race should start at 1.30pm.
Wednesday’s winners
Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Rasputin LG (Ryan Cassar) – 1.17.5”
Race 2. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Douglas (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.1”
Race 3. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gamin De Source (Paul Galea) – 1.16.8”
Race 4. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Oro Doc (Michael Ellul) – 1.16.1”
Race 5. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Festin d’Avenir (Dyan Baldacchino) – 1.16.3”
Race 6. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Edson Boko (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.17.8”
Race 7. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Star’s Fighter (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.15.4”
Race 8. President’s Cup Semifinal. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Pablo Andover (Daniel Hili) – 1.14.3”
Race 9. President’s Cup Semifinal. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Duke Of Mearas (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.14.3”
Race 10. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Blue Night (Raymond Schembri) – 1.16.7”
Race 11. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Bergh D’Ylea (Philip Calleja) – 1.17”
