First championship of the season gets underway

The 5th meeting of the year, consisting of eight races all for trotters, heralded the start of the first championship of the season. This is the Assikura Championship for class Gold trotters on a short distance of 2140m. From the seven heats for class Gold trotters, 35 trotters made it to the semifinal stage.

In the first class Gold heat, Rodney Gatt put favourite Kasper Trot in front with 600m to go. This Swedish trotter managed to seal its second win of the year easily by two lengths from Eurythmic Sisu (Kevin Sciberras), French newcomer Everest Dodville (Clint Vassallo), and Sandsjons Revenue (Charles Camilleri). Edson Boko (David Ellul) also made it to the next stage.

The early leader of the second class Gold heat, French debutante Eliot Du Louvet (Rodney Gatt), ran out of steam when the front horses turned for their final straight. This horse was overtaken by Ami De Clerlande driven by veteran Gozitan driver Julian Farrugia. Farrugia’s trotter took its first win of the season from Dreams Happen (Noel Baldacchino), Chene De Landisacq (Charles Camilleri), Prinsen One (Mario Farrugia), and Abricot Du Bugey (Chris Vassallo). 

It should be noted that during the same meeting, Rodney Gatt was awarded as the best driver for the 2022 season and Cherise Farrugia as the best driver in the under-25 category. A commemorative plaque was also presented to owner John Zammit after that his trotter, French Antoine Du Bourg, ended as the most consistent horse last year. This was the sixth year in a row that Rodney Gatt ended as the best driver of the year.

Another memento was also presented to Mr Alfred Spiteri, one of the most dedicated workers within the Malta Racing Club. Spiteri was the racing and registration secretary for over 50 years.

Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Saturday. The first race should start at 1.30pm.

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Foppa Sisu (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.6”

Race 2. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Kapser Trot (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.2”

Race 3. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Ami De Clerlande (Julian Farrugia) – 1.14.6”

Race 4. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Chemsak Vedaquais (Jeffrey Said) – 1.14.5”

Race 5. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dzarof De Guez (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.14.5”

Race 6. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Darling Atout (Julian Farrugia) – 1.14.8”

Race 7. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Akela Play (Clint Vassallo) – 1.14.9” Race 8. Assikura Championship Heat. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. El Gusto (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.17”