Zidane D.E. wins Johnnie Walker Cup final

Driven by Chris Grech, German Zidane D.E. won Sunday’s major event.

This was the Johnnie Walker Cup final for class Gold trotters on a short distance of 2140m. This final formed part of the 52nd meeting of the season consisting of nine races all for trotters.

Sunday’s card also included a normal class Premier race on the same distance.

Twelve trotters lined up for the Class Gold final.

Flash De Celland (Kurt Saliba) was the fastest horse at first, opening a small lead from Diaz Dairpet (Cliferty Calleja) and Zidane D.E. (Chris Grech). However with 400m to go, Saliba’s trotter started to slow down and eventually it was overtaken by Zidane D.E which gained its third win in Malta easily by seven lengths from Cristal Pierji (Rodney Gatt) and Cessillac (Charles Degiorgio). Boston Wise L (Noel Baldacchino) ended in fourth place.

At the end of this final, Mr Alfred Braddick, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the prestigious cup to, John, Warren, and Chris Grech owners and driver respectively of the winning horse.

It should also be noted that this was also the first win of a final by Chris Grech.

There was a keen duel between Italian mare Black In Black (Jean Claude Pace) and Call Jack (Ludvic Ghigo) in the final metres of the only class Premier race.

It was the latter that secured its third win of the season, with Hunter Montana (Tony Demanuele) and Secret Snap (Johan Gaffarena) ending respectively in third and fourth place.

Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Saturday. The first race should start at 1.15pm.

SUNDAY’S WINNERS

Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Hative De Ronsard (Denilson Cortis) – 1.21.3”
Race 2. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Idole De Neret (Paul Galea) – 1.18.9”
Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Emissoro (Raymond Schembri) – 1.18.7”
Race 4. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Appreciated (Charles Magro) – 1.16.6”
Race 5. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dennis Rose P.J. (Marco Debono) – 1.18.1”
Race 6. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Call Jack (Ludvic Ghigo) – 1.16.7”
Race 7. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Rosie Access (Leon Zammit) – 1.16.1”
Race 8. Johnnie Walker Cup final. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Zidane D.E. (Chris Grech) – 1.14.5”
Race 9. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Cruise (Paul Galea) – 1.15.6”