Southern Region Local Council Championship gets underway at Marsa

The 21st and the 22nd meeting of the season were held during the weekend at the Marsa Racetrack, and heralded the start of the Southern Region Local Council Championship for class Premier trotters on a short distance of 2,140 metres.

The three heats from this championship were won by Forban, Galant De Bruyere and Gold Dairpet.

From the three class Premier heats, 12 trotters made it to the final stage.

In the first heat held on Saturday, French Forban (Cherise Farrugia) sealed its first win in Malta after leading all the way.

Farrugia’s trotter finished first by two lengths from Itro (Clint Vassallo), Black Mission (Jesmar Gafa’), and Glossy Boy (Joseph Tabone).

Similar was the second heat from the same championship, which was held on Sunday.

Ramon Briffa put French newcomer Galant De Bruyere in front after the official start of the race.

This trotter was unchallenged during the 2140 metres distance and registered its first win in Malta by half length from Mon’s Tornado (James Briffa).

Gibaldi De Houelle (Rodney Gatt) and Isocrate D’Ela (Jesmar Gafa’) followed home in that order.

There was a keen tussle between four trotters in the final straight of the third class Premier heat.

It was Gold Dairpet (Marco Refalo) which triumphed in an impressive average time of 1.12.5” per kilometre.

Isabelle Sisu (Nathaniel Barbara), Bordeux S (Cliferty Calleja) and Farmer Keryvon (Rodney Gatt) also obtained a good place.  

Saturday’s winners

Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Hurricane Du Temps (Dylan Baldacchino) – 1.16.8”

Race 2. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Dats Trixi (Rodney Gatt) – 1.13.5”

Race 3. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gone (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14”

Race 4. MRTL Championship Semifinal. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Imperial Du Stade (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.5”

Race 5. MRTL Championship Semifinal. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Network Eagle (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.5”

Race 6. MRTL Championship Semifinal. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Crazy Boy (Leon Zammit) – 1.14.2”

Race 7. Southern Region Local Council Championship heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Forban (Cherise Farrugia) – 1.12.9”

Race 8. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. First Dream (Redent Magro) – 1.14.5”

Sunday’s winners

Race 1. Class Copper. Dist – 2140m. 1. Oro Doc (Daniel Hili) – 1.15.4”

Race 2. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Ice Dream Royal (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.3”

Race 3. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Idaho Cartery (Daniel Debono) – 1.14.5”

Race 4. Class Bronze. Dist – 2140m. 1. Calogero RG (Marco Debono) – 1.15”

Race 5. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. If De Freca (Rodney Gatt) – 1.14.4”

Race 6. Southern Region Local Council Championship heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Galant De Bruyere (Ramon Briffa) – 1.13.5”

Race 7. Class Gold. Dist – 2140m. 1. Diamant Du Ruel (Jesmar Gafa’) – 1.13.7”

Race 8. Southern Region Local Council Championship heat. Class Premier. Dist – 2140m. 1. Gold Dairpet (Marco Refalo) – 1.12.5”

Race 9. Class Silver. Dist – 2140m. 1. Heineken (Jean Pierre Farrugia) – 1.15.2”