by Magnat
Another race meeting will be held on Sunday 16th February, comprising a programme of no less than 11 races, with the first race scheduled to start at 1.15pm. Ten of these races are reserved for trotters (the race distance being the short 2,140m) with the remaining one being a flat race over the longest distance in Malta for this type of races, i.e. 2,250m.
Although it is not in its normal role of key attraction due to the Assikura championship heats, the Premier class “normal” race also promises to be an extremely hard-fought race.
Featuring 15 participants, of which two are French newcomers (i.e. 11 year old Paris Libere’ and 10 year old Quiet Way – scratched last time), these include among others Equestrian Festival Premier class championship winner Absolut Spender, well-known recent winners Zalgado Transs R, Vejby Boom, P.A. Surprise and Zandina Boshoeve, Quelino d’Amour coming from two places in its last three races, Oltedo de Rieux which registered five places in its last eight outings, and the other extremely competitive trotters.
The Assikura Championship, which in the past used to be reserved for non-French and non-Swedish trotters, has this year been restructured into a championship open for Gold class trotters of all nationalities. It is a three-phase championship with the heats being followed by semi-finals and a final.
Sixty six trotters have been registered, with these being split into six heats of 11 participants each, from which the first four per heat will make it to the semi-finals.
Horses such as Prince Gaillard, coming from a win last week and a runner-up place a couple of races before, Presidential, runner-up last week, Phenix de la Roque which was runner-up in the Equestrian Festival Gold class final and then started the year with a similar place, Petit Pierricais, winner of the Prix de Cabourg in December, Rapide du Matin which ended the year with a good runner-up position and all the other valid horses form part of the first heat.
The second heat presents us with horses of the calibre of Pro Shop, just relegated from the Premier class and which placed in two of its last three outings, Ouest Mabon and Means Nothing both coming from good runner-up places, Happiness Photo which placed in both its last races, Malewe which placed third a couple of weeks ago, French 10 year old newcomer Quel Avenir and all the other strong participants.
It is then the turn of horses such as Pan des Couperies, coming from five places in its last six races, Quintet du Vivier which placed twice in its three races in Malta, Charm Hammering which had a great season last year with five wins (including the Equestrian Festival Gold class championship final), No Comprendo which recently returned with an encouraging place after a long absence, Xray Hornline which starts its 2014 season after winning or placing in nearly all its outings last year, Swedish 10 year old newcomer Seagarden’s Lady and all the other promising horses.
The fourth heat features horses such as Madam di Poggio, just relegated from the Premier class (third placed in December’s Equestrian Festival Premier class championship final), Qurieux du Ponchet which won its last race, Pissaro coming from four straight places, Orage du Pont marking the start of its season after a very good season last year, Ouragan d’Any which won its penultimate race and Energy Launcher which also placed in its penultimate race, among others.
Quid d’Aliermont, which had a successful debut a couple of weeks ago, Beckham Bob and Reader Jyl which both won their penultimate race, Quattro du Gite, Noble d’Ete, Wies Buitenzorg and Carnegie Hall which all placed in their last races, December Prix de Vincennes final participant Orion du Vaumicel which has just been relegated from the Premier class, Danish 9 year old newcomer Nubi Lens, are among the protagonists of another very balanced fifth heat.
And finally in the last heat, we find horses of the calibre of last week’s winner Obelix Cream, Premier Avril coming from a win and two places in its last four races, Simb Tyrant winner and runner-up in its last two outings, December’s Prix d’Enghien winner Oolong, some horses which have been recently relegated from the Premier class, such as Olry Meslois which also placed third in its last race and past Prix de Vincennes winner Master Perrine, making its debut in this class after an eight month absence, Swedish 11 year old newcomer Edge Trick and all the other valid participants.
The other three trot races are all for Silver class horses, with newcomers French Quito del Phedo, Italian Maleo As, German Diamond Hallinck and Dane Nimbus Bjerregard, being scheduled to debut in the first two of them.
The Class A flat race includes a small field of only four horses, all of which have featured in the last race. These are Pearl Storm, winner of the season’s first flat race, last season’s most consistent thoroughbred, Timolin, 2011 Mediterranean Derby winner Buttermilk and the well-known Ollie Fliptrik. We will see who has the best staying powers on the extremely long 2,250m distance.
And thus, we start the 2014 championship season! And the first championship is certainly not a modest one, because although it does not involve the Premier class, the Gold class provides some of Malta’s best trotters, with most of them having either raced in the top flight before or else are knocking on the door of that class. And every championship is a story in its own right, with the knock-out style ensuring maximum fighting spirit by all participants, whether human or equine!
Last Meetings
The last two meetings saw a change in trotters’ race distance, moving from 2,140m to 2,640m. We also had the first seasonal flat race, which was also contested on the rather long 1,750m distance.
The main attractions were naturally the two Premier class races (one in each meeting) and the four Gold class ones – two in each meeting.
Premier Class
Playboy C.H. went into the lead at the start of the Premier class race held on the 2nd February, followed closely by Nitesco d’Antony and Phenix de la Roque.
However with around 1,200m to go, we saw Zalgado Transs R advancing one place after another two wide to go in front with a lap to go, with Zandina Boshoeve in second place. Zalgado Transs R was first into the final straight followed closely by various horses, but the former sprinted courageously to claim its first win in Malta just over half a length ahead of Zandina Boshoeve, followed by Midnight Passion and Quelino d’Amour in a time of 1’15’9 per kilometre.
In last Sunday’s Premier class race there were various changes in the leading position at the early stages of the race until Sultan November took the lead after around 750m, a lead which the latter maintained until a lap and a half to go when it was overtaken by Oran which had started with the difficult number 16.
The determining action of the race took place however on the backstraight when Power of Love, at its second race in Malta, advanced one place after another three wide and came up to second place with 600m to go. These two horses sprinted the final straight head-to-head, none of them wanting to give way to the other, but ultimately Power of Love managed to have the better of Oran around 100m from the end and went on to win its first race in Malta, a length ahead of the same Oran, followed by Poulot des Cinty and Plastic, in 1’15’8 per kilometre.
In this race, we also saw the debut of Piombino, an 11 year old French gelding, registered with the highest number of handicap points for a newcomer and which participated in this race as a reserve. It won Euro595,360 overseas, making it the trotter with the second highest overseas winnings to ever race in Malta.
Piombino registered 21 wins and numerous places and a best time of 1’11’5 per kilometre on 2,100m in January 2013. It participated in various races having a total prize-money of Euro100,000 or more, with its most prestigious win probably being that in the Prix de Bar-Le-Duc at Vincennes on 2,850m in 2010, when it also beat the famous Quaker Jet. Another great race was the Prix de l’Union Europeenne 2012 (total prize-money Euro160,000), where it finished 4th after racing in the company of legendary trotters such as Rapide Lebel, Commander Crowe, Perlando, Iceland, Rodrigo Jet etc.
Gold class
In the first Gold class race, after some changes in the leadership places in the first 600m, it was Premier Avril which took the lead with around two laps to go, closely followed by Olry Meslois and Veikko Hornline. However at the end of the backstraight Paleo des Cascades was noticeable in placing itself within striking distance of the race leaders.
Into the final straight it was Premier Avril, closely followed by various horses. With 200m to go Paleo des Cascades unleashed a deadly sprint in the inner lane, going in front with 100m left and claiming its second consecutive and seasonal win in the two meetings’ best time of 1’15’1 per kilometre, a length and a half ahead of the same Premier Avril, followed by Olry Meslois and Carnegie Hall.
Quintet du Vivier took a small lead early on in the second Gold class race ahead of Ouest Mabon and newcomer Qlement du Digeon. The situation remained the same until the back straight when Ouf Boy and the other newcomer Quid d’Aliermont accelerated strongly on the outer lanes and went up to challenge the race leader.
Ouf Boy changed gait around 300m from the end and so Quintet du Vivier entered the final straight just ahead of Quid d’Aliermont. The latter sprinted marvellously and went ahead in the middle of the final straight to make a dream debut winning by half a length in 1’17’9 per kilometre, from the fast finishing Ouest Mabon on the outer lanes, with Malewe and No Comprendo taking the remaining places after the disqualification of Quintet du Vivier.
In last Sunday’s first Gold class race, it was Noble d’Ete which took an immediate lead, followed by Prince Gaillard and Count of Life. The situation did not change until the backstraight when we saw various horses attacking the race leader.
Noble d’Ete still managed to conserve its lead until the start of the final straight, but at that stage it could do nothing to resist the attack coming from Prince Gaillard in the inner lanes, which went ahead and managed to claim its first win in Malta about a length and a half ahead of Presidential, followed by Noble d’Ete and Pan des Couperies in 1’16’5 per kilometre.
Mival Tondi was the main protagonist of the first kilometre of the second race, before being taken with a kilometre and a half to go by Quattro du Gite. Once again in the backstraight horses such as Means Nothing and Obelix Cream became extremely active in putting themselves within striking distance of the race leader.
Into the final straight it was first Quattro du Gite, followed closely by Obelix Cream and Means Nothing in that order, but Obelix Cream went comfortably ahead 200m from the end and easily claimed its first win in Malta, a length ahead of Means Nothing followed by Quattro du Gite and Pissaro in a time of 1’17’1 per kilometre.
Silver class
In the first Silver class race, we saw the rare occurrence of an alteration of the result due to interference by the horse that reached the finishing post first. The altered result awarded the second win in Malta to Qurieux du Ponchet followed by Quioco Dry in 1’16’7 per kilometre.
Then it was Lacoste I.T.’s turn to register its second win in Malta, beating Octobre En Fete by half a length in 1’17’1 per kilometre.
The first winner in this class last week was Sir Malouin, at its second win in Malta. This horse led practically all the way and won comfortably by over a length from Quo Vadis Phedo in 1’18’2 per kilometre.
Last week’s second race in this class reserved similar fare with the protagonist this time being Milano du Gite which dominated the race and notched its fourth win in Malta by about 5 lengths from Rapnou des Picanes in 1’17’0 per kilometre.
A gap of more than a length separated the winner from the runner-up in the following Silver class race, as Quaid Tejy registered its second win in Malta in front of Lonshults Erik in 1’16’3 per kilometre, whilst newcomer Rocky de Jervi had a fantastic debut, thanks to a strong sprint in the final 300m, finishing some two lengths ahead of other newcomer Livi Evergreen, in 1’16’5 per kilometre.
Flat Race
Two newcomers, Safari Storm and Pearl Storm went ahead immediately at the start of the Class A flat race (the first of the season) on 1,750m, going head to head (with the former being slightly ahead) and taking a small lead from the other three participants.
The situation remained the same until 500m from the end when Pearl Storm launched its determined attack. These two horses withstood each other’s pressure until the last 200m when Pearl Storm took the lead and cruised to a comfortable victory around five lengths ahead of the same Safari Storm, followed by Timolin in 1’46’34.
Driver of the Month Award
During the 2nd February meeting, Fr Mario Attard led the presentation of the Driver of the Month Award for December 2013 to Ronald Cassar, which was sponsored by the Italian horse products company Equine Supreme, which we thank wholeheartedly for their support.
Facts & Figures 2013 (Part 3): Championships
As we now prepare ourselves to follow this season’s first championships, in this round-up of last season, it is fitting that we should take a look at the championships held in that season.
Indeed, in 2013, the competition was once again fierce with no horse managing to be an absolutely dominating force throughout the season.
Having said that, one Premier class trotter managed to engrave its name on three top class championships, i.e. French 11-year old Okilaibo which managed to win the June Prix de Vincennes and the VOB Cup in both its editions, that of June (2,140m) and that of December (2,640m). No mean feat at all!
Furthermore Swede 9 year old Orcas Bac managed to win two championships, the Sette Giugno Cup and the Cassar Petroleum Autumn Championship, apart from registering the national record on the 2,140m distance in the latter final.
Truly remarkable performances considering the extremely high level of the participants!
Polytain and Royal Qui also managed to win two championships/ Condition Races in the lower Bronze and Copper classes respectively.
Once again we had a very good number of championships throughout the year, all major attractions which help to generate interest and enthusiasm among all horse-racing enthusiasts.
(a) Championships involving Premier class trotters
I list below (in date order) the championships in which Premier class trotters were involved (the equivalent of the Groups I and II in Malta), together with the race distance and the respective 2013 winner and its nationality:
1. Assikura Championship (A) (2,140m): Argus Hanover (USA)
2. Dragonara Tazza l-Kbira (2,640m): Nabab du Chatelet (FR)
3. Sette Giugno Cup (2,140m): Orcas Bac (SE)
4. Prix de Vincennes (French Trotters) June Final (2,140m): Okilaibo (FR)
5. Variable Odds Betting (VOB) June Grand Final (2,140m): Okilaibo (FR)
6. Summer Championship Premier class (2,140m): Shakira Trot (SE)
7. Cassar Petroleum Autumn Premier class Championship (2,140m): Orcas Bac (SE)
8. President’s Cup (2,640m) – sponsored by various businesses: Gently di Poggio (IT)
9. Prix de Vincennes (French Trotters) December Final (2,640m): Ohime Mag (FR)
10. Equestrian Festival Premier class (1,640m): Absolut Spender (SE)
11. Variable Odds Betting (VOB) December Grand Final (2,640m): Okilaibo (FR).
Interestingly, out of these 11 finals, no less than seven were on short distances (six on the 2,140m distance and one on the sprint 1,640m) while four were on the longer 2,640m distance (no championships were organised on the very long 3,140m distance).
(b) Other championships and Condition Races
The winners of the other championships and Condition Races (all on 2,140m, except for the Equestrian Festival championships on 1,640m and the December SECF French trotters championships which had a 2,640m distance) were:
Daring Daylight (FI) (Assikura Championship B),
Pepone du Castelet (Gold class), Octobre En Fete & Orio de Marancourt (winners of the two Silver class finals), Quingen de Bussy (Bronze class) and Royal Qui (Copper class) (all winners of the March – April Condition Races),
Orion du Vaumicel and Oolong (Gold class – Prix d’Enghien), Quozak Prior and Petit Pierricais (Silver class – Prix de Cabourg), Pittacos and Polytain (Bronze class – Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer) and Qualaudry and Owens Kin (Copper class – Prix de Caen) in the SECF French Trotters championships,
Perdreau Rapide (Gold class), Quaroldo (Silver A class), Quartes (Silver B class), Polytain (Bronze A class), Zeta Jones A (Bronze B class) and Andri Boko (Copper class), all winners of the Summer Championship finals,
Midnight Passion (Gold class), Prince Lu (Silver A class), Pile Ou Face (Silver B class), Command Coger (Bronze class) and Royal Qui (Copper class), all winners of the Cassar Petroleum Autumn Condition Race Finals, and
Charm Hammering (Gold class), Damita (Silver A class), Megiddo (Silver B class), Pema (Bronze class) and Buckens Stjarna (Copper class), all winners of the Equestrian Festival finals.
A big thank you to all the sponsors without whose help these great championships would not have been possible.
What great winners! No doubt, these whet our appetite for more spectacular championships which the 2014 season has in store for us.
We wish you all another exciting meeting next Sunday.
