by Magnat

A horse-racing meeting will be held at the Marsa racetrack next Sunday 4th March, with 8 races on the card, all of which are trot races.  The meeting starts at 1.30pm.

It-Tazza l-Kbira, Malta’s most traditional championship, is with us once again!  This is Malta’s equivalent of the Prix d’Amerique or the Elitloppet, with the first edition having been held in 1934. Winners remain in enthusiasts’ hearts forever.

Six heats from this championship (this year sponsored by Dragonara Casino) will be held on a 2,640m distance, with twelve participants in each, aged between 7 and 15 years.  The first four from each heat qualify for the semi-finals which will be held on the 18th and 19th March.

All participants are among Malta’s best horses, coming either from the Premier class or from the topmost part of the Gold class.  No less than six nationalities are represented, with 46 French trotters, 20 Swedes, 2 Danes and 1 each from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway.

These include last year’s Tazza l-Kbira winner Kakisis as well as runner-up Lonshults Anders and third placed Lou Petiot, Cassar Fuels Autumn Championship, President’s Cup and December VOB Cup winner Livi Cantona, December Prix de Vincennes winner Mig of the Wood and runner-up Nevaio des Bordes, and recent winners such as Master Lupin, Nabab du Chatelet, Nec Carmolo, Nono de Crouay, Nuage de Bourgogne, Oscar de la Vallee, True Q and many other quality horses.

Nine Premier class trotters are also registered to make their local debut in these heats, i.e. French newcomers Nasko Pride, Natan des Jacquots, Natieu d’Echal, Naxos de France, Niky de Memartin, Nobleness Dubrio, Nophenio de Lune and Onyx Speed, and Swede Veikko Hornline.

One of these is registered with the highest points for newcomers in the MRC classification.  Indeed, French eleven year old Nophenio de Lune (driven by Noel Baldacchino last December at Vincennes racecourse) has overseas winnings of Euro313,590, a best time of 1’14.1 per kilometre on 2,850m, with 10 wins and various placings.  Its best performances in 2011 include a runner-up place at Enghien on 2,150m and a third place at Prunelli di Fium’Orbo on 2,400m.

The remaining two races are one for the Copper class and the other for the Bronze class, both on the sprint 1,640m distance.

Undoubtedly, a spectacular meeting.  Being among the Tazza l-Kbira competitors means that the particular horse is one of Malta’s best trotters, qualifying for the semi-finals means forming part of the heritage of this great championship.

Last meetings 

The highlight of the last two meetings consisted of the two Assikura Championship finals for trotters which are neither French nor Swedish, as well as three Premier class races held on Sunday 19th February, all on a 2,140m distance.

In the Assikura Championship Category A final, Zilver Boko led the field for most of the way, but could not resist Knockout Molar’s and Count of Life’s attacks in the final straight, with Danish Knockout Molar (Carl Caruana) ultimately taking its second consecutive win and winning this championship, by half a length in a good time of 1’15’8 per kilometre.  Zilver Boko and Socrates placed third and fourth respectively.

In this championship’s Category B final, US trotter Prince Regent (Tony Demanuele) launched a strong attack on the outside lanes in the last half lap which led it to take the lead and win for the first time in Malta by about two lengths from Giant Game, Hawkear and Garden Pax.

The first Premier class race resulted in Nec Carmolo’s first seasonal win by about two lengths from Nougat Voideen, Candy Fantasy and Oscarina.

Spectators were given plenty to shout about in the second Premier class race, as Noble d’Ete, Nono de Crouay, Normand d’Oger and Label Chouan challenged each other at impressive speed in the final straight.  Noble d’Ete reached the post first but was disqualified for changing gait, with Nono de Crouay notching its first win locally, ahead of Normand d’Oger, Label Chouan and Magic de Assigny.  The winner’s time was a spendid 1’14’8 per kilometre, the best time so far this season.

Nuage de Bourgogne then registered its second consecutive win in another very good time of 1’14’9 per kilometre, thanks to a strong attack on the outside lanes in the last half lap, to finish a length ahead of Milord Barbes, Arnie Sensation and Mystere d’Urfist.

We also had four interesting Gold class races.  The first one saw a brilliant tussle in the final straight between Master Lupin and Jobie Lucky, with the former taking its first seasonal win by a head and gaining promotion to the Premier class. 

In last Sunday’s Gold class races, Matador Knick won comfortably from Pirate d’Urzy; its first win in the last ten months.

Then, Nicos de Peneme took its second seasonal win from Lime Casted after a strong challenge between the first four horses in the final straight, whilst Ouragan d’Any won for the second consecutive time beating newcomer Delicious Brother by a head, with the latter being disqualified and Lover Boy Index thus finishing runner-up.

The only flat race, run on a long 2,250m distance, was won by Just The Best, thanks to a strong acceleration in the last 500m.  Ollie Fliptrik and Capital Hill finished immediately behind the winner.

Driver of the Month Award – February

The Driver of the Month Award for February has been won by Noel Baldacchino, winning six races and placing in seven other races during the month of February.  He also managed to win no less than three of these races in the sixth meeting of the season, on the 10th February.

Congratulations Noel – well done!  Many thanks also to Finn Tack for supporting our sport by sponsoring February’s award.

The Malta Horse Racing Awards

I confess that I had never seen so many horse-racing protagonists all together wearing a jacket and tie.  We are more accustomed to see them in paddock, drivers’ or jockeys’ attire.

The setting at the Dolmen Hotel as well as the stage decoration, video clips and organisation were all impeccable.  We were also honoured to have among us the Hon Parliamentary Secretary for Youth & Sport, Mr Clyde Puli, the Opposition Spokesman for Sport & Local Organisations Mr Chris Agius, the Chairman (Mr Bernard Vassallo) and Board members of the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport, the Chairman (Dr Matthew Brincat) and Council Members of the Malta Racing Club and other distinguished guests.

As we were making our way into the Oracle Conference Room, one could feel clearly that this was a first – the first edition of an awards’ gala night which put the focus on horse-racing.  An evening which not only honoured the worthy winners, but these winners also represented so many other horse-owners, trainers, handlers, drivers, jockeys and all others who contribute to this sport, whether as journalists, spectators or in other roles. 

It also brought together so many people from all walks of life, but having one interest in common, i.e. their enthusiasm for horse-racing.

The ceremony was a beautiful celebration of horse-racing, that traditional sport having such a long history in Malta.  It is fitting that the protagonists of this sport should be honoured in style and that their success is celebrated in a spectacular manner, compensating for so much work they do in silence in preparing themselves and their horses for racing appointments during the year. 

Many of them were shy to go up on stage to receive their award, but this time, rightly, they had to go in the limelight ...

We also relived many great moments not just from last season, but also from years gone by – many felt  goose-pimples as we saw the images of Isard du Pont fascinating race-goers nearly 30 years ago!

The awards were won by:
Ollie Fliptrik (Most consistent thoroughbred),
Major Chaleonnais (Most consistent trotter),
Rodney Gatt (Apprentice Driver of the year),
Ramon Grima (Champion Jockey),
Noel Baldacchino (Champion Driver),
Memorial Awards to the families of the late drivers Charles Clifton (Il-Haw) and George Schembri (Il-Bubuna),
Award for international successes to jockey Michael Sultana,
Awards to the owners and drivers of great trotters In Vitro du Bourg and James de l’Iton which were retired last year,
Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran driver Raymond Clifton who has been active in this sport for 55 years,
Award to the owner and to the driver of Livi Cantona, last season’s revelation, and
Award to the owner and driver of Kakisis for the best ending to a final (the Emirates Tazza l-Kbira 2011).

The great atmosphere continued during the after-ceremony drinks, where the guests mingled together in a relaxed, friendly environment, everyone discussing horse-related matters.

A big well-done to the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport, to the Malta Racing Club and to the Organisation Committee led by Kenneth Vella for a very good job; as well as to all sponsors.  The photo of all the winners will remain forever not just a splendid memory of a great occasion but also a tribute to the quality of Maltese horse-racing.

I am sure that at the end of the evening, many – whether or not winners last year – were already with their mind on this year’s season, determined to do their very best to be among those going up to collect awards next year ...

We wish you all an exciting meeting next Sunday.