by Magnat
After the havoc in race meetings created by the inclement weather a couple of weeks ago, an impressive three all-trot race meetings will be held this long weekend, on Friday 13th (Republic Day public holiday) starting at 1pm and Saturday and Sunday both starting at 1.30pm. Friday’s meeting consists of 9 races, with each of Saturday’s and Sunday’s comprising 10 races.
These meetings reserve for us three big attractions, i.e. the President’s Cup final on the rather long 2,640m distance on Friday, five finals reserved for French trotters from each trot class in Malta on the same distance on Sunday, and the Equestrian Festival semi-finals being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for each trot class on the sprint 1,640m distance with the finals thereof being held during the Equestian Festival on Sunday 22nd December.
The President’s Cup Final
The President’s Cup final for Premier class trotters (except French horses) presents eleven participants (nine geldings, one stallion and one mare) originating in Sweden, Germany and Italy and aged between 7 and 13 years:
1. Shakira Trot, Swedish 10 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK1,477,200 and a best time of 1’12’0 per kilometre. It has notched five wins (including this July’s Premier Class Summer championship) and seven places in its 20 races in Malta, with a best time among us of 1’14’9 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’15’4 per kilometre on 2,640m).
2. True Q, Swedish 12 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK1,380,088 and a best time of 1’12’2 per kilometre. It has registered six wins and ten places since it made its debut in Malta in September 2011, with a best time of 1’15’0 per kilometre on 2,640m.
3. Cloria Victis, Swedish 9 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK1,336,703 and a best time of 1’12’4 per kilometre. It has placed in both its races in Malta so far, with a best time of 1’15’2 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’15’9 per kilometre on 2,640m).
4. Poppes Fighter, Swedish 12 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK973,600 and a best time of 1’12’8 per kilometre. It has a win and five places from its 15 races in Malta, with a best time of 1’15’6 per kilometre on 2,640m.
5. The Bad Rock, Swedish 10 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK1,228,450 and a best time of 1’13’5 per kilometre. It won twice in its four races in Malta, with a best time of 1’15’8 per kilometre on 2,640m.
6. Veikko Hornline, Swedish 9 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK642,150 and a best time of 1’14’0 per kilometre. It registered two wins and eleven places since it made its debut among us in March 2012 and has a best time locally of 1’14’8 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’16’3 per kilometre on 2,640m).
7. Rocky Composite, Swedish 7 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK580,600 and a best time of 1’13’0 per kilometre. It notched a win and a place in its two races in Malta and has a best time among us of 1’16’6 per kilometre on 2,640m.
8. Arnie Sensation, Swedish 13 year old, having 13 wins (including the MRC Premier Trot, the VOB Grand Final and the Summer Championship – Premier class, all in June/ July 2009) and 27 places since it made its debut among us in March 2009. Its best time in Malta is 1’14’9 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’15’5 per kilometre on 2,640m)
9. Gently di Poggio, Italian 10 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro156,263 and a best time of 1’12’4 per kilometre. It has a place from its two outings in Malta and a best time of 1’16’0 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’18’6 per kilometre on 2,640m).
10. Midnight Passion, Swedish 7 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK447,250 and a best time of 1’13’4 per kilometre. It notched six wins in its eight races in Malta with a best time of 1’14’5 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’17’1 per kilometre on 2,640m).
11. Zalgado Transs R, German 7 year old, with overseas winnings of NOK604,684 and a best time of 1’12’8 per kilometre. It has one place in its only race in Malta so far with a time of 1’17’3 per kilometre on 2,640m.
With some 36 wins and 65 places between them, these horses are bound to present us with a great spectacle leading to the winner of this prestigious championship.
The total prize-money for this final amounts to Euro3,950, with the winner receiving Euro2,200.
More importantly, this meeting will be held under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the President of Malta, Dr George Abela, who will follow the final from the racecourse, be presented to the drivers and present the prizes to the owner and driver of the winning horse and to those of the placing horses.
The SECF Finals
The Prix de Vincennes final reserved for French Premier class trotters presents a similar spectacular field. A field made up exclusively of geldings, aged between 9 and 12 years, seven of which made their debut this year, two last year and one in 2011:
1. Original Blue, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro213,230 and a best time of 1’14’1 per kilometre. It has one win and four places from its eight races in Malta with a best time of 1’15’5 per kilometre on 2,640m.
2. Ohime Mag, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro248,250 and a best time of 1’12’8 per kilometre. It has three wins and four places from its 10 races in Malta with a best time of 1’13’5 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’14’8 per kilometre on 2,640m).
3. Okilaibo, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro237,460 and a best time of 1’14’0 per kilometre. It has notched five wins (including this June’s Prix de Vincennes and VOB Cup finals) and 7 places in its 12 races in Malta, with its absolute best time being registered here in Malta of 1’13’7 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’14’6 per kilometre on 2,640m).
4. Oltedo de Rieux, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro183,230 and a best time of 1’13’5 per kilometre. It won twice and placed another five times from its 12 races in Malta, with a best time of 1’15’2 per kilometre on 2,640m.
5. Pacha de la Frette, 10 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro358,284 and a best time of 1’12’0 per kilometre. It has placed in its only race in Malta to date, with a time of 1’15’5 per kilometre on 2,640m.
6. Orion du Vaumicel, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro147,570 and a best time of 1’13’9 per kilometre. It won 3 times and placed another 13 times since its local debut in May 2012 with a best time of 1’15’4 per kilometre on 2,640m.
7. Nevaio des Bordes, 12 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro451,217 and a best time of 1’11’9 per kilometre. It won 5 times and placed another 5 times since it made its debut in Malta in November 2011, with a best time of 1’15’0 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’15’1 per kilometre on 2,640m).
8. Orgueil de Nganda, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro513,090 and a best time of 1’12’1 per kilometre. It has one place from its four races in Malta with a best time of 1’15’2 per kilometre on 2,640m.
9. Quelino d’Amour, 9 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro195,162 and a best time of 1’12’5 per kilometre. It has two places from its four races in Malta with a best time of 1’15’2 per kilometre on 2,640m.
10. Ourasi Diams, 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro229,680 and a best time of 1’14’6 per kilometre. This horse placed seven times out of its 12 races in Malta, registering its best time of 1’15’2 per kilometre three times, twice on 2,140m and another time on 2,640m.
With no less than 19 wins and 49 places between them, and with all participants having a best time in Malta of 1’15’5 per kilometre or better, these horses should provide us with yet another fantastic final!
The total prize-money for this final amounts to Euro4,150, with the winner receving Euro2,400.
Sunday’s meeting comprises also four other beautiful finals reserved for French trotters in each of the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper classes, all over 2,640m. These are all extremely balanced races with a guarantee of hard-fought, exciting and uncertain outcomes.
As an example, the Gold class (Prix d’Enghien) final unites nine geldings aged between 8 and 12 years having overseas winnings varying between Euro105,295 and Euro182,730 in their foreign career. Between them they have to date won 19 races and placed another 53 times. These are:
Oiellet de Phens (1 win in Malta with a best time of 1’16’0 per kilometre),
Rapide du Matin (2 places in Malta with a best time of 1’16’3 per kilometre),
Prince Gaillard (6 places in Malta with a best time of 1’15’3 per kilometre),
Onyx Lucernais (3 wins and 6 places in Malta with a best time of 1’15’9 per kilometre),
Oolong (2 wins and 11 places in Malta with a best time of 1’14’6 per kilometre),
Orage du Pont (8 wins and 11 places in Malta with a best time of 1’14’3 per kilometre),
Orion de Chapeau (2 wins and 7 places in Malta with a best time of 1’15’1 per kilometre),
Pepito Flash (1 win in Malta with a best time of 1’16’4 per kilometre),
Nitesco d’Antony (2 wins and 10 places in Malta with a best time of 1’14’3 per kilometre).
The Equestrian Festival
The remaining races this weekend are semi-finals in preparation for the Equestrian Festival finals being held on Sunday 22nd December.
Semi-finals are being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in six championships, one for each trot class, with the Silver class being split into two, i.e. Silver A and Silver B. The race distance is the sprint 1,640m.
Naturally, pride of place among these semi-finals goes to the two Premier class ones both being held on Saturday and featuring 12 and 11 participants respectively, the first five from each making it to the final.
Among these horses we find the return of past championship winners Livi Cantona and Troy Boshoeve after long absences, this year’s Tazza l-Kbira winner Nabab du Chatelet, Made In Hoff and Absolut Spender both coming from a good win and Knockout Molar coming from a good runner-up place, various popular horses such as Oran, Sultan November, Vanmaker Limburgia and many others as well as 7 year old Swedish newcomer Vejby Boom.
Various other newcomers are due to debut in these semi-finals. These are French Petit Brazille, Presidential and Quintet du Vivier and Swede Joss QC in the Gold class, Swede Ami Blou, German Damita and Dutch Famous Faberge in the Silver A semi-finals, French Riboul Penalan and Dutch Zizazimoko in the Silver B semi-finals, Dutch Adream Wish and Swede Mystic River in the Bronze class, and Dutch Dreamed Victory in the Copper class.
Apart from these races, as befits the above-mentioned two finals, these meetings will also include some brilliant spectacle for the whole family as the Malta Racing Club is accustomed to present for the great enjoyment of spectators!
Driver of the Month - November
Noel Baldacchino is the winner of the Malta Racing Club’s Driver of the Month award for November. This decision was based on the historic international win he registered in the legendary racecourse of Vincennes in Paris on the 30th November, in the Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Francais, on Puy de Sancy – see below.
Noel also had a very positive month here in Malta winning six races and placing in ten others from the 36 races he competed in. He won on Max Advice, Missionimpossible, Polytain and Petit Veinard all in the Bronze class and on Ocean Brillouard and Quozak Prior in the Silver class.
Well done Noel for winning this honour!
We also wholeheartedly thank Equine Supreme for kindly supporting this initiative by sponsoring November’s edition.
The Maltese National Anthem under a Parisian sky
I still feel goose-pimples on my skin as I remember the emotions passing through my mind and heart as the small Maltese contingent (a dozen people) stood straight and listened proudly to the notes of the Innu Malti in the winner’s circle at the Vincennes racecourse two weeks ago.
My recollections of that beautiful evening of the 30th November overlap but all of them are wonderful memories.
Entering the majestic Vincennes racecourse complex with all its amenities and its classic black surface. Then entering the racecourse paddocks to go and give a look at the horse which Noel has been drawn to drive.
Ten year old gelding Puy de Sancy, one of the more fancied participants in this international race is waiting in stable 92 after having travelled quite some distance to arrive in Paris from its home in Normandy, surrounded by its trainer Stephane Provoost, his wife and baby.
The horse is quiet and gentle and it is difficult to believe that it will transform itself into a fast competitor once the race begins. Noel’s young son Isaac pets and kisses the horse, something that the latter appears to appreciate.
We have a chat with the trainer who gives Noel some useful tips in respect of the horse’s warming up and race characteristics.
In particular he notes that the horse could start pacing during warming up and when going behind the autostart, but it is crucial that the driver should not pull it back and that he should allow it to go into trotting gait on its own by the time the race begins.
Time seems to stand still as we await one race after another until the time arrives for warming up. In the meantime, the trainer continues to prepare his horse, which appears somewhat excited and trembling slightly in anticipation of the race. My mind goes back over 30 years, when as a boy I asked the owner of a trotter at the Marsa racecourse whether the horse knows that it has to race and he answered me with the words “It knows as much as I know when I have to go to work.”
The time finally arrives to watch the horse’s warming up. Noel jumps into the sulky and drives the horse slowly to the entry of the racecourse. He carries out the warming up in the manner advised by the trainer and gets the horse back in without any problems.
“Now it’s just a question of waiting for the race”, I find myself thinking. It is the seventh race on the card.
However, there is one more preliminary point before that happens. The various drivers from different countries gather inside the racecourse for some photos of the occasion. The Maltese contingent gathers to watch them and to take some photos too.
No less than 15 countries are represented, although the Canadian driver is unlucky enough to have his horse scratched and will thus not participate in the race, a misfortune encountered by our driver last year.
After the end of the sixth race, a few minutes before the start of the awaited race, Noel leads his charge into the racecourse and carries out a last bit of warming up. The wait seems interminable!
Finally, the horses gather behind the car and get under starter’s orders. They are quite a distance from the spectactors and we therefore have to follow them on the racecourse’s big screen.
Most of the Maltese contingent gather on the steps to watch the race together but I wish to get closer to the action and go to the rails facing the finishing post.
Finally the car accelerates and they’re off!
After some initial jockeying for positions, top favourite Prieure’ goes in front and takes the rails, driven by French world champion Pierre Vercruysse in the short 2,100m race. It is followed by Quartino on the inside lane while Noel follows Prieure’ and goes two-wide in third place.
The race continues without any changes in the front positions. Puy de Sancy is always racing two wide and I find myself thinking whether it will manage to keep up the pace in the dead seat – thank God Puy de Sancy seems to be running comfortably and the race distance is relatively short.
As the horses close on to Vincennes’ last bend and into the long final straight, I find myself straining to get a better view of the horses. Prieure’ seems to accelerate and to detach itself more from its immediate followers, Quartino is always inside in second place, whilst Puy de Sancy seems to have lost some ground.
But as they go into the final straight, Puy de Sancy driven marvellously by Noel Baldacchino suddenly goes into fifth gear and gets closer to the leader. Its acceleration is fantastic and I find myself praying that it does not change gait because it is close to at least a good place.
Puy de Sancy continues coming fast aided and pushed by Noel, I am shouting incontrollably as the horses come thundering down the straight, my voice lost among those of the big crowd at the racecourse, the horses getting ever nearer! Puy de Sancy goes in front just 30 metres from the end – nearly exactly in front of me - strongly challenged by the strong finishing Quassia du Bon Air, but “our” horse appears to have made it by a head.
For a long second I am unsure, confused as to whether the photofinish will confirm what I saw, until I turn round and see the entire Maltese contingent celebrating, jumping up and down, hugging each other and then on the big screen an enormous photo shot of Noel dressed in the Maltese national colours at the helm of the winning horse. No doubt now, let the celebrations begin!
And then into the winners’ circle at Vincennes; something I never ever dreamt would happen. Photos of the occasion with the horse, the trainer and the Maltese contingent, Noel going up on the podium and being interviewed by the French commentator.
Then the presentation of the trophies and Noel raising the winner’s trophy to the cheers of the crowd.
Finally our national anthem – is this really Paris or is it Malta I find myself thinking? Nobody can believe it, everybody is overcome with emotions as we look at our driver at the centre of the podium and the whole racecourse is silent for the notes of the Innu Malti.
What an honour for a small country like ours! What a great day for Maltese horse-racing and Maltese sports; forever in the mind and heart of those who were there and so many others following the race from Malta - a Maltese driver winning in the temple of trot, Vincennes. The second time after Andrew Pace made history with Espoir du Terme in 2001. Well done Noel and Andrew!
We wish you three great meetings this long weekend.
