The fourth meeting of the year which was held on Sunday afternoon, heralded the start of the EquestriMalta President’s Cup championship for class Premier trotters.
The four heats from this championship were organised on a short distance of 2140 metres and 24 horses made it to the semifinal stage.
Sunday’s card included eleven races all for trotters. Rodney Gatt finished the best driver with four wins.
In the first heat, Italian DJ Spritz (Daniel Hili) sealed its second win in a row and in Malta after increasing its speed in the last 700 metres.
After taking the lead, Hili’s trotter triumphed by a length from Forban (Cherise Farrugia), Falko De Nouville (Noel Baldacchino) and Awesome Kronos (Jesmar Gafa’). Ellington Dream (Paul Galea) and French newcomer Felix Du Bourg (Herman McKay) followed home in that order.
There was a keen duel between Rampant (Cherise Farrugia) and Diablo D’Herfraie (Rodney Gatt) in the final metres of the second Premier heat.
It was the former which registered its first win of the season with Honky Tonk Blues (Cliferty Calleja), Gepetto De Godrel (Alex Cortis), Vincent As (Oliver Briffa) and Extra Du Chaletet (Ludvic Ghigo) also making it for the next stage.
In the third class Premier heat, favourite Farmer Keryvon (Rodney Gatt) led all the way and gained its second win in Malta easily by nine lenghts Falcom Du Bocage (Frederick Mallia).
French newcomer Ginkgo Thelois (Paul Galea) finished third from Eldorado De Ver (Noel Baldacchino), Akela Play (Charles Degiorgio) and Zinfandel (Charles Camilleri).
The early leader of the fourth heat, Janita Silvio, under the guidance of Cherise Farrugia, was outsmarted by Ghostbuster (Rodney Gatt) midway through the final straight.
Isabelle Sisu (Nathaniel Barbara), Glossy Boy (Joseph Tabone), Frappe Fort (Marius Mizzi) and Emile Du Var (Marco Debono) were the last trotters to qualify for the next phase.
Sunday’s winners
Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Kivabien D’Arnhem (Rodney Gatt) – 1.16.3”
Race 2. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m 1. Jasmin De Coulamer (Clifton Farrugia) – 1.17.1”
Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m 1. Figaro Du Fan (Christopher Grech) – 1.16.9”
Race 4. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m 1. Bakerman (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.8”
Race 5. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m 1. Epicuro Luis (Redent Magro) – 1.14.9”
Race 6. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Kalina D’Ep (Alessandro Grech) – 1.16.9”
Race 7. EquestriMalta President’s Cup Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. DJ Spritz (Daniel Hili) – 1.13.5”
Race 8. EquestriMalta President’s Cup Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Rampant (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.13.9”
Race 9. EquestriMalta President’s Cup Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Farmer Keryvon (Rodney Gatt) – 1.13.3”
Race 10. EquestriMalta President’s Cup Heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Ghostbuster (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.3”
Race 11. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Impact Sur Laterre (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.15.6”
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