First win in Malta for Surf’N Turf

The 44th meeting of the season which was held on Sunday afternoon heralded the start of the Krafft Championship for class Silver trotters on a short distance of 2140m. This programme consisted of nine races all for trotters and included also a normal class Premier race on a long distance of 2640m and which was won by Surf’N Turf driven by Carl Caruana.

Fifteen trotters lined up for the class Premier race. Swedish Surf’N Turf (Carl Caruana) was the fastest horse at the start, opening a small lead from Baladin Du Reynard (Kurt Saliba) and Bara Min (Noel Baldacchino). With 700m to go, Caruana’s trotter was still going strong and also managed to increase its speed. Surf’N Turf registered its first win in Malta easily by five lengths from French debutante Calin D’Havaroche (Andrew Farrugia) and Abydos Du Vivier (Charles Degiorgio). Onceforall Face (Brian Hili) ended in fourth place. The winner clocked an average time of 1.16.6” per kilometer.  

From the eight class Silver heats, 32 horses made it to the semifinal stage. In the first heat, French Coyote Du Relais (Mario Farrugia) sealed its second win of the season after leading all the way and after sustaining the challenge of Denka Du Frau (Redent Magro) in the final metres. Mystic Accident (Paul Galea) and debutante Carlos Du Gabarin (Joseph Tabone) ended respectively in third and fourth place.

French Fighter Perrine (Rodney Gatt) increased its speed with a lap to go and gained its second win of the season by a length from Emissoro (Raymond Schembri) and Ezior (Charlton Muscat). Uranus Tepol (Joseph Cassar) followed home in that order.   

In the third class Silver heat, it was once again Rodney Gatt who registered another win thanks to French newcomer Forever d’Ecajuel. This trotter sprinted well during the last 400m and past the finishing post first easily by a length and a half from Dak Oldack (Daniel Hili) and Classic Gal (Jean Pierre Farrugia). Wellington (Nathaniel Barbara) followed home in that order.

During the same programme, Cliferty Calleja was also awarded a commemorative plaque after winning last week the World Championship for Amateur Drivers which was organised on three different racetracks in Italy. Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Friday. The first race should start at 7pm.

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Coyote Du Relais (Mario Farrugia) – 1.16.7”

Race 2. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Fighter Perrine (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.2”

Race 3. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Forever d’Ecajuel (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.8”

Race 4. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Baqualito Mag (Charles Degiorgio) – 1.15.5”

Race 5. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Drop De Corday (Jean Claude Pace) – 1.16.6”

Race 6. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dream Turgot (Kurt Saliba) – 1.15.7”

Race 7. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Surf’N Turf (Carl Caruana) – 1.16.6”

Race 8. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gosse Fredano (Nathaniel Barbara) – 1.15.6” Race 9. Krafft Championship Heat. Class Saver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dito Quick (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.17.2”