Velvet Gio wins final in new national record

The 45th and the 46th meeting of the year were held during the weekend at the Marsa Racetrack. Certainly the most important race was the Assikura Speed Race final for class Premier and Gold trotters on a mile distance.

The race was won by Velvet Gio driven by Rodney Gatt. Apart from this, these programmes included also a number of semi-final races for French trotters on a long distance of 2640m.

Ten trotters lined up for the Premier-Gold final.

Rally Inge (Jonathan Farrugia) was the fastest horse at first, opening a small lead from Condior driven by Jonathan’s father, Julian Farrugia and Arno Dell’Est (Paul Galea).

Midway through the final straight Rally Inge started to slow down and was overtaken by Velvet Gio (Rodney Gatt) which took its sixth win of the year from Global Undecided (Charles Camilleri) and Condior (Julian Farrugia).

Danilo H.B. (Chris Grech) followed home in that order.

At the end of this final, Andrew Grech, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the winning trophy to Rodney Gatt and Pierre Debono the driver and owner respectively of the winning horse.

Velvet Gio clocked an impressive average time of 1.11.6” per kilometer which is also a new national record on the mile distance.

It should be reminded that some weeks ago Velvet Gio had also won the prestigious President’s Cup final.

Saturday’s winners

Race 1. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Galeo Du Portugal (Kirsten Axisa) – 1.18.9”

Race 2. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. 1. Carbonfiber (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.16.5”

Race 3. Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer Semi final. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Gayle Galbe (Clint Vassallo) – 1.17.9”

Race 4. Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer Semi final. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Grace (Redent Magro) – 1.18”

Race 5. Prix De Cabourg Semi final. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Hanouchka (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.16.7”

Race 6. Prix De Cabourg Semi final. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Epiphane (Cliferty Calleja) – 1.18.4”

Race 7. Prix D’Enghien Semi final. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. 1. Francesco (Denilson Cortis) – 1.17.8”

Race 8. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Falcao De Chenu (Redent Magro) – 1.16.8”

Race 9. Prix D’Enghien Semifinal. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. 1. Emile Du Var (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.15.6”

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Ideal Pierji (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.17.1”

Race 2. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Diabolo Castelets (Alessio Magro) – 1.16.9”

Race 3. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. 1. Deep Pockets (Laura Frendo) – 1.14.5”

Race 4. Prix De Caen Semi Final. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Fast Loulou (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.16.7”

Race 5. Prix De Caen Semi Final. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Hurricane Du Temps (Dylan Baldacchino) – 1.16.3”

Race 6. Assikura Speed Race Final. Class Premier – Gold. Dist – 1640m. 1. Velvet Gio (Rodney Gatt) – 1.11.6”

Race 7. Prix De Vincennes Semi Final. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Eden De L’Iton (Clint Vassallo) – 1.15.7”

Race 8. Prix De Vincennes Semi Final. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Call Jack (Ludvic Ghigo) – NTR

Race 9. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Hegoa Smart (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.16.1”