Hiant Du Val, Gold From Heaven and Fun De Banville win semi-finals

Hiant Du Val, Gold From Heaven, and Fun de Banville won the three main events, which were held on Sunday afternoon at the Marsa Racetrack.

These were the Assikura Championship semi-finals for class Gold trotters on a short distance of 2140 metres. These races formed part of the fifth meeting of the season, consisting of eight races all for trotters.

From the three class Gold semi-finals, 12 horses made it to the final stage.

In the first semifinal, Hiant Du Val (Rodney Gatt) increased its speed 700 metres from the finishing line and managed to gain its second win in a row easily by six lengths from Great D’Arry (Ludvic Ghigo), Hani Bird (Dylan Baldacchino) and No Pressure (Kerstin Galea).

Gold From Heaven (Paul Galea) was unchallenged during the 2140 metres distance of the second semi-final.

This Swedish trotter took its second consecutive win from Durello (Oliver Briffa) and Hana Am (Justin Attard). Arachis P.R. (Jesmar Gafa’) followed home in that order.

Cruise (Paul Galea), the early leader of the third and last semifinal, started to slow down when the front horses turned for their final stage.

This Swedish trotter was overtaken by Fun De Banville driven by Gozitan Marvin Cauchi. Fun De Banville registered its first win in Malta from Onas Quintus (Rodney Gatt) and Surf’N Turf (Charles Camilleri). Cruise had to settle for fourth place.

Another meeting at the Marsa Racetrack will be held on Tuesday, public holiday. The first race should start at 1.30pm.

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2640m. 1. Hurricane Du Temps (Dylan Baldacchino) – 1.17.1”

Race 2. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Helios D’Albret (Joe Farrugia) – 1.17.2”

Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2640m. 1. Il Conto (Clint Vassallo) – 1.16.1”

Race 4. Class Premier. Dist – 2640m. 1. Fitzy De Vive (Laura Frendo) – 1.13.6”

Race 5. Assikura Championship Semi Final. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Hiant Du Val (Rodney Gatt) – 1.15.8”

Race 6.  Assikura Championship Semi Final. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gold From Heaven (Paul Galea) – 1.16.9”

Race 7. Assikura Championship Semi Final. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Fun De  Banville (Marvin Cauchi) – 1.15.5”

Race 8. Class Silver. Dist – 2640m. 1. Djembe Du Pont (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.9”