by Magnat
Two race meetings will be held this weekend, first on Friday starting at 6.30pm and then on Sunday commencing at 1.45pm. These are two long all-trot meetings with 10 races on Friday and another 11 on Sunday, i.e. no less than 21 races in a weekend. The race distance is the short 2,140m.
This weekend’s three highlights consist of:
(i) the start of the Le Trot championships (on both Friday and Sunday) reserved for French trotters sponsored by the SECF – the French trot racing association;
(ii) a “normal” Premier class race which will be held on Sunday; and
(iii) the Ladies International Championship which will take place on Friday.
These meetings are also characterised by the large number of newcomers that are scheduled to make their debut in them; no less than 34. If they all make their first appearance in Malta, the total number of newcomers so far this year would reach an impressive 160, more than 100 of which being French.
But let’s start in reverse order for once.
Ladies International Championship
We are pleased to convey a warm welcome to 11 visiting female drivers who are currently in Malta to take part (together with the Maltese representative) in the Ladies International Championship taking place during Friday’s meeting.
This Championship is being sponsored by Equality and by the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport (both of which we sincerely thank for their support) and constitutes a larger scale version of the International Races for females held in 2011 and 2012.
The 12 participants hail from 9 different European countries, i.e. Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Malta, the Netherands, Slovenia and Sweden, with their ages varying between 25 and 63 years, thus involving an interesting mix of experiences both in terms of their length of driving experiences, the countries in which they operate etc.
These participants are:
Denmark: Charlotte Berg
Estonia: Natalia Abdalla
Finland: Heli Kantonen-Heikkila & Paula Rasanen
France: Sophie Blanchetiere
Italy: Ilaria Vecchi
Malta: Laura Cunningham
The Netherlands: Samantha Stolker & Pamela Westgeest (winner of the last Ladies International Race held in Malta in 2012)
Slovenia: Alenka Pirc
Sweden: Patricia Gordin & Monica Sahlgren-Fromell
They will be driving in two races, one reserved for the Silver and the other for Copper class trotters. A prize-giving ceremony will be held after each race where apart from a token to the winning driver, the owners of the four placed horses will receive trophies plus a beautiful commemorative blanket for the winner.
Interestingly, this championship will also feature two newcomers in the Silver class leg, i.e. French 9 year old Roc Magister and Italian 6 year old Over Del Sole.
The winner of this championship will be determined on the basis of the total number of points earned by the participants over the two races. The points involve 20 for the winner of a race, 16 for the runner-up, 12 for 3rd placed and 10 for 4th place, with the remaining points going down by one for each place until the 12th placing which is awarded 2 points (if a horse is disqualified in a particular leg, its driver receives only 1 point for that leg).
A motorcycle parade carrying the respective drivers will be held, the participating drivers will be presented to the public (and receive a commemorative token of participation) and each represented country’s National Anthem will also be played.
Various distinguished guests are also expected to be present for this event, including the U.S. Ambassador Her Excellency Gina K.Abercrombie-Winstanley and the Netherlands’ Ambassador Her Excellency Rita Dulci Rahman. The Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth & Sport, the Hon Mr Chris Agius and Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport Chairman the Hon Dr Luciano Busuttil will also be attending the event.
We also take the opportunity of applauding the Malta Racing Club’s initiative of combining this event with a good cause having a female touch. Indeed, Europa Donna Malta (a Breast Care Support group) has been invited in order to help promote more breast cancer awareness among women – undoubtedly a very praiseworthy mission having a life saving target, especially in the light of the level of incidence of breast cancer.
So, no doubt this Ladies International Championship is a fantastic event which is full of significance, not just in terms of the two races themselves but also relative to the events surrounding them. Once again we give a warm welcome to the visiting drivers – may you have an enjoyable stay in Malta and we also wish the best of luck to all participants (including our representative Laura Cunningham) and an enjoyable evening to all spectators.
Finally, a small wish. May this championship and the female drivers participating therein encourage more female drivers and jockeys to participate in horse-racing in Malta. The number of these drivers and jockeys is still quite restricted here and hopefully events like these will help to light the imagination of our young ladies in terms of their participation in this beautiful sport.
This would also support the great work being done by the Malta Racing Club Horse Racing Academy whose sterling endeavours will certainly yield the desired results even in terms of promoting more female participation in our races.
The Premier class race
Sunday’s Premier class race is a “normal” one but containing 14 participants having sufficient quality for a final.
These include Prieure’ fresh from realising the Maltese national record a couple of weeks ago, last year’s Tazza l-Kbira winner Nabab du Chatelet, last December’s President’s Cup winner Gently di Poggio, Zalgado Transs R fresh from its excellent 1’13’0 per kilometre timing and coming from two wins and four places in its six outings this year, Oltedo de Rieux which just placed third in the BOV Tazza l-Kbira final and no less than four gelding newcomers among all the extremely valid participants, i.e. French 11 year old Pronostic de Neige and 10 year olds Quito de l’Ormeau and Quouky Jet and Swede 9 year old Yanantin Boko.
The latter is registered with the highest handicap points for a newcomer in Malta. Winner of no less than SEK2,317,225 thanks to 11 wins and a many places, this horse has a best time of 1’11’5 per kilometre registered in 2009 on the 1,609m distance.
Among its most prestigious results in Sweden, we find a 3rd place in the Svenskt Trav-Kriterium (Group 1 National) for 3 year olds in 2008 won by none other than Maharajah, the same placing in the SprinterMastaren Final (Group 1 International) for 4 year olds a year later and in the Breeders’ Crown for 4 year olds (Group 1 National) in the same year, its win in the Gold division in 2010 and its runner-up place in the Gold division final in the same year (Group II International). Among its performances this year we find a runner-up place in a Gold division race on 2,140m and its participation in the prestigious Olympiatravet Gold division final (Group II International) on the same distance won by none other than Sanity. Its best time this year is 1’12’2 on 1,640m (5th) in another Gold division race.
Le Trot Championships Heats
This is the 12th year of these championships, with the first edition having been held in 2003. The Gold, Silver and Bronze class horses enter into action this weekend, with the start of the Prix d’Enghien, Prix de Cabourg and Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer respectively.
The Prix de Vincennes (Premier class) and Prix de Caen (Copper class) will commence in a couple of weeks’ time with these horses entering the fray directly at the semi-final stage.
Prix d’Enghien
But returning to this weekend, the 59 Gold class horses aged between 9 and 15 years are split into five Prix d’Enghien heats with the first four from each making it to the semi-finals. It is striking that no less than 13 of these are newcomers.
The first heat sees horses such as Reader Jyl, Queen du Sablier and Quid de la Muette all coming from a win in one of their last three races this year, Pan des Couperies having no less than six consecutive places in as many outings, Quintet, Quintet du Vivier and Quermes Rush with two places in their last three races and 10 year old gelding newcomer Quartz Dancer.
In the second heat, Pile Ou Face has already registered no less than four wins this season, Ollico Pellois is coming from a win and three consecutive places in its last four outings, Prince Gaillard from a win and three places in its last five races, Quioco Dry has three wins and five places in its last eight outings, Quel Homme was runner-up in its only outing in Malta so far and Oscar Mati had a similar placing in its penultimate race.
This heat also presents us with three gelding newcomers, 11 year old Prince d’Avril and 10 year olds Quito de Femisson and Quouky de Morgane.
The third heat (being the first in Sunday’s meeting) is characterised by six gelding newcomers, 11 year old Pacha des Bordes and 10 year olds Quarus de Levres, Quel Imprevu, Querido Tivoli, Quito Soyer and Quoikispass. Among all the other popular participants we find horses of the calibre of Partner Blue winner of two of its last three outings, and Milord Barbes, winner of its last race.
Then it is the turn of horses such as Quirinus Vrie, having a win and a place in its only two races in Malta so far, Qadjar Turgot which won its only race in Malta to date, Ouest Mabon, Quitou Jim Park, Pissaro, Orion du Vaumicel and Nitesco d’Antony all coming from a good place over the last month. We also see the return of Quel Noir after a six month absence in which it went back to race in France and absolute newcomer Quicker Magoda.
The last heat is characterised by a number of horses which have recently been racing in the Premier class, such as Assikura Gold class championship winner Phenix de la Roque, Quirio Charm, Pegelas and Oros de Reve (returning after some months’ absence). Horses such as Oolong and Quattro du Gite (both recent winners), Quio de Nappes, Nagano Phedo, and Oeillet de Phens (coming from good places in their recent outings) have shown good form recently.
They are joined by Prince de Blequin which returned a couple of months ago after a rather long absence and 10 year old gelding newcomers Qualisman and Quouing A Man.
No doubt all five heats include impressive fields which make it really difficult to guess the four qualifiers from each, let alone the winners. And this not just from the examples referred to above but also all the others which are equally deserving trotters, capable of a brilliant performance on their day.
Prix de Cabourg and Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer
The Prix de Cabourg (Silver class) is impressive in terms of the sheer number of participating horses, no less than 93, aged between 7 and 15 years, spread over eight heats with the first four from each making it to the semi-finals. Fifteen of these are newcomers (mostly 9 year olds).
Among the participants, no less than thirteen are coming from a win in one of their last three races, including Rubis d’Olivier, Qumran de la Motte, Okapi des Dimes, Quiquafini, Ouest du Vivier, Rocky Mati, Paolin de Bannes, Poete de la Sarthe, Quo Vadis Phedo, Reveal Champ Blanc, Neo de Mira, Querido Censerie and Quid Pierre.
Others such as Rocky de Jervi, Quim Itou, Quazoumax, Rapide du Matin, Quipson, Quome d’Avignere, Player du Mirel, Orion de Chapeau, Nophenio de Lune, Ouragan d’Any, Niky de Memartin, Quooper de Connee, Quo de Clerlande, Natif de Fontaine, Master Gede, Quarborandum, Regent de Tillard and Petit Pierricais are recent additions to this class after being relegated from the Gold class – some of them could well be competitive at this level.
The following are the newcomers in these heats: 10 year olds Quad de Balesta and Quiton d’Ouxy and 9 year olds Remind de Luxlor, Rocking Gwen, Roc des Rayons, Rouble des Ducs, Reve du Solnan, Run Faster, Roi du Solat, Rio du Gers, Ramses de Tyrole, Reflexe de Crennes, Ricket Boy, Rayon de Soleil and Ravenovillais.
And these are only some examples of the quality present in these heats. Due to the sheer number, it is impossible to list all the participants but all are competitive horses capable of rising to the occasion.
The Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer (Bronze class) pits against each other 60 trotters aged between 6 and 16 years spread over five heats with the first four from each making it to the semi-finals. We do not have any newcomers in this class.
Although we have a number of participants which have registered encouraging performances, few are those which have managed to win in their last outings. These include Pacha de Sassy, Obscur de Busset, Norfolk de Gouerie and Prince du Moutier.
However, this championship may be called the quasi-Silver championship because more than one third of the participants are recent additions to this class after racing in the Silver class.
Indeed the strength of the participants is undoubted, guaranteeing another extremely balanced championship.
What else can we add to the above presentation? Not much except to underline a weekend of great events at our racecourse and wishing two truly enjoyable meetings to everyone!
Last Meeting
We have just been welcoming our female drivers who will compete in the Ladies International Championship next Friday.
In the last meeting it seemed as if even our horses wished to give their own welcome to our female colleagues with some brilliant performances by our mares (which are in materially smaller numbers than their male counterparts).
Indeed, in the second Bronze class race we even saw the rarity of an all-mare first four finish, with the win going to Grace Party, followed by other mares Above Roland, Principessa Caf and Adream Wish, with two mares finishing first and second respectively (Claudine followed by Megiddo) in the second Silver class race, Zandina Boshoeve winning the Premier class race and Zizazimoko winning the third Silver class race, whilst Snubbelduns finished fourth in the first Bronze class race and Made In Hoff was fourth in the first Gold class race.
The latter race also had another female touch as it was won by Malta’s driver representative in the Ladies International Championship, Lorraine Cunningham, on P.A. Surprise.
Truly an appropriate timing for such fantastic performances!
Premier Class
Mare Chiara Sisu took the lead after around 350m of the Premier class race, with this position remaining unchanged until the final straight, when another mare Zandina Boshoeve found the necessary space to attack, running four wide and sprinting marvellously throughout the final straight.
Midnight Passion responded in kind in the centre of the straight and these two horses provided us with a spectacular challenge running head to head divided by part of the width of the racecourse, with Zandina Boshoeve ultimately being slightly faster to win by a head in 1’15’7 per kilometre, ahead of the same Midnight Passion, followed by Ego Sanna and Original Blue.
This was Zandina Boshoeve’s third consecutive and fourth seasonal win (its seventh in Malta).
Gold class
Our Dream took an early lead in the first Gold class race, managing to remain in front until the backstraight when Nubi Lens advanced one place after another through a great sprint and managed to go in front with 650m to go.
But the race was not yet over because in the final straight we saw P.A. Surprise sprinting marvellously three wide in an all-out effort to catch up with the race leader, a feat which it managed a few metres from the end, going on to claim its first seasonal and second win in Malta, half a length ahead of the same Nubi Lens, followed by New Star D K and Made In Hoff in 1’14’8 per kilometre.
Laval went in front early on in the second Gold class race, a lead which it maintained until the backstraight when we saw an impressive acceleration by Lost Photo running four wide, which managed to storm into the lead with 600m remaining. From then on the race had no more story as Lost Photo sprinted strongly till the end to claim its second seasonal win, in 1’15’9 per kilometre, two and a half lengths ahead of Count of Life, followed by Versace Boko and Razor Shadow.
San Frangisk Cup final
The Womanizer took an early lead in this final for Copper class trotters, managing to retain its advantage until the final straight when it was strongly challenged by Pout de Quelaines driven by Kerstin Galea. The latter sprinted impressively three wide, took the lead 200m from the end and went on to claim its second consecutive and seasonal win, a length and a half ahead of the strong-finishing Ocean Gede, followed by The Womanizer and Icare de Jemma. The race time was 1’18’4 per km.
At the end of this final, Fr Mario Attard O.F.M. Cap, the inspiration behind this championship, and Malta Racing Club Chairman Dr Matthew Brincat, led the presentation ceremony for this final.
Silver class
The first Silver class race provided the second consecutive and seasonal win for Swede Purple Hall which took the lead with around 1,200m to go and maintained it until the end, also sprinting well in the final straight to win by a length and a half from Swede newcomer Who’s My Daddy, followed by Navaho Simoni and Lonshults Erik, in a time of 1’15’9 per kilometre.
Then, a brilliant sprint in the final straight was instrumental to give Swedish mare Claudine its first win in Malta, three and a half lengths ahead of another Swedish mare, Megiddo, followed by Blott Tooma and Black Money Bir, in 1’16’5 per kilometre.
The backstraight was the critical point of the last Silver class race at which stage Dutch mare Zizazimoko, Ray Auto Dealer Challenge Cup winner, attacked race leader Lonestar Somolli in a determined manner and went in front with 700m to go. Zizazimoko was in control from then on and went on to claim its second seasonal win in 1’16’9 per kilometre, a length ahead of Livi Dida, followed by Udice Boko and Livi Champion.
Doping test results
Recently the Malta Racing Club received the result of another doping test taken in 2014. Congratulations go to the owners and trainers of Nagano Phedo, third placed in a Gold class race in April, whose result confirmed that it was clean from prohibited substances.
Driver of the Month Award – April
The Driver of the Month for April is Julian Farrugia, who won this award on the basis of the five wins and six places that he registered from the 17 races he competed in during that month.
Julian’s wins arrived on Oran (BOV Tazza l-Kbira semi-finals), Ironbar (Gold class), Rasting Celina (twice in the Silver class) and Quattro du Gite (Silver class too).
His places were on Madam di Poggio (BOV Tazza l-Kbira semi-finals), Utah Hornline (Premier class), Quio de Nappes (twice in the Gold class), Veikko Hornline (Gold class) and Ironbar (Silver class). His 5th placing (on Oran) in the BOV Tazza l-Kbira final is also worth noting.
Congratulations Julian!
We also take the opportunity to thank M. Demajo (Wines & Spirits) Ltd, through their brand Johnnie Walker for kindly supporting this initiative once again, by sponsoring this month’s edition of this award.
Two hundred seconds
With all the attractions scheduled to take place at the Marsa racecourse this weekend and which we have covered in this article, for reasons of space we will stop here for today and take appointment for next week for the concluding part of the Tazza l-Kbira feature started in the last editions.
We wish you another two enjoyable meetings this weekend.
