First win in Malta for Tug Of War in Premier race

Driven by Jason Vassallo, Tug Of War won Sunday’s main event at the Marsa Racetrack. This was a class Premier race on a long distance of 2640 metres and formed part of the 33rd meeting of the season consisting of six races all for trotters.

Fourteen trotters lined up for the class Premier race. Rampant (Cherise Farrugia) was the fastest horse at first, opening a length lead from Swedish debutante Black Mission (Cliferty Calleja) and Sahara Peyote (Paul Galea).

Although in the final straight Rampant was still going strong, Farrugia’s trotter was still outsmarted by Tug Of War (Jason Vassallo) in the last metres.

The latter took its first win in Malta with Awesome Kronos (Noel Baldacchino) and Durello (Oliver Briffa) ending respectively in third and fourth place.

In the only class Gold race of the programme, the early leader, Swedish newcomer El Maco Khalifa (Cliferty Calleja), was overtaken midway through the final straight by MT Montpelier driven also by Jason Vassallo. Onas Quintus (Charles Camilleri) and Italian debutante Blue Dancer (Sheldon Gauci) followed home in that order.

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Bys Googoo Star (Charles Camilleri) – 1.15.5”

Race 2. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. She’s A Lady (Paul Galea) – 1.16.7”

Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Oyess LJ (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.3”

Race 4. Class Gold. Dist – 2640m. 1. M.T. Montpelier (Jason Vassallo) – 1.15.2”

Race 5. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Tug Of War (Jason Vassallo) – 1.15.1”

Race 6. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Mad Princess (D. Baldacchino) – 1.16.8”