Fuliggine Pal Wins Krafft Championship Final at Marsa Racetrack Thrilling Finish

Italian – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Italian mare Fuliggine Pal took the biggest prize of the day at the Marsa Racetrack on Sunday. Driver Noel Baldacchino guided her to victory in the Krafft Championship final for class Gold trotters.

The final was run over a short distance of 2140 metres. It was part of the 49th meeting of the season, which had seven races, all for trotters.

Twelve trotters lined up at the start. Eland, driven by Jemsar Gafa’, moved fastest at first and opened a small lead. Pure Joy (Cherise Farrugia) and Daniel Autriche (Rodney Gatt) followed close behind.

With 200 metres left, Eland began to slow down. The race then turned into a close fight between Pure Joy and Fuliggine Pal in the final straight.

Fuliggine Pal found the extra strength and held on to win. It was her fourth win of the year and her second in a row. Eland finished second, and Gold From Heaven (Paul Galea) came third. The winner’s average time was 1.13.2″ per kilometre.

After the race, Mr Shawn Pete Azzopardi presented the trophy on behalf of the sponsors. It went to Etienne Carabott, the owner, and Noel Baldacchino, the driver.

Sunday’s card also had a class Premier race over a long distance of 3140 metres. Itro, driven by Clint Vassallo, led early but began to tire as the horses turned for home.

Ha Yes Max (Anton Cassar) then went to the front. He won by two lengths, his second win in a row and in Malta. Hiatus (Redent Magro) was second. Itro held on for third, just ahead of Swedish newcomer Lakethesnake (Marco Debono).

Another meeting will be held at the Marsa Racetrack on Friday evening. It will include the Mapre Championship final for class Silver trotters over 2140 metres. The first race should start at 7pm.

Sunday’s Winners

Race 1. Class Copper. 3140m. Charlie Island (Marco Refalo) – 1.17.8″
Race 2. Class Bronze. 3140m. Hercule Des Pres (Paul Galea) – 1.17.4″
Race 3. Class Silver. 3140m. Illimani Montana (Paul Galea) – 1.16.5″
Race 4. Class Gold. 3140m. Iron de Ginai (Clint Vassallo) – 1.16.1″
Race 5. Class Premier. 3140m. Ha Yes Max (Anton Cassar) – 1.15.6″
Race 6. Krafft Championship Final, Class Gold. 2140m. Fuliggine Pal (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.13.2″
Race 7. Class Gold. 3140m. Grandcamp (Noel Baldacchino) – 1.18.6″