“Horse Racing Season ends tommorrow” plus 1 more

Posted: 18 Dec 2010 03:59 AM PST

Tomorrow's 61st horse racing meeting ends this year's horse racing season with an elite 8 race programme that consists of the five SECF championship finals.

It is a tough job on those that want to predict a winner in these finals as in the heats and semi finals we saw tough competition and exciting finishes that is making us wonder about how these horses will now fare when facing each other. As always race endings are only determined when the result is announced and many factors like horse numbers, drivers and the tempo can either aid or hinder the outcome. We wish all the best to the participants and may the best horse on the day be declared the winner.

These finals are all over the 2640m distance whilst the three normal races will be over the 2140m distance.

These are the non starters for tomorrow's programme:

2nd Race – No. 6 Impact Classic
4th Race – No. 2 Ledonio du Meleuc

My tentative predictions are the following:

1st Race – Silver – Lady Holmely, Nuthan d'Emi, Mr King
2nd Race – Prix de Caen (Copper) Final – Kendo du Chene, Larkay d'Echal, Juaben
3rd Race – Prix de Cagnes-sur-Mer (Bronze) Final – Mousko Royal, Koko Loco, Lorenz de
Noyelles
4th Race – Copper – Napoleon Hjo, Gubben Karsk, Cost a Lot
5th Race – Prix de Cabourg (Silver) Final – Muflier des Fleurs, Nevermind, Neo de Mira
6th Race – Prix de Vincennes (Premier) Final – In Vitro du Bourg, James de l'Iton, Lady de
Vindecy
7th Race – Prix d'Enghien (Gold) Final – Lucky des Brisants, Kiflosak Cordiere, Nill's Daka
8th Race – Silver – Bankir Zon, Manifi Pointer, Meadow Dancer

Bello Fratello Wins President's Cup

Last Monday we had the President's Cup Final albeit without the presence of The President of Malta Dr George Abela. This was a great disappointment to owners, drivers, MRC workers and spectators who were looking forward to meet him up close at the place where they practice what they love the most – horse racing. There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding regarding what happened exactly as the Malta Racing Club are insisting that they had made the necessary arrangements for this visit. A formal explanation by those concerned would be greatly appreciated so as to avoid any unnecessary hard feelings.

The winner of this year's edition was Bello Fratello driven by one of his owners Anthony Spagnol. The race was fast from start to finish with a timing that reflected the quality of horses taking part. This was the fifth seasonal victory for Bello Fratello with his most recent victory being the Dragonara Consolation Final.

We would also like to congratulate the owners of this horse as during this week, the doping test result taken after that victory came back negative for any prohibited substances. One is also to note that he has now once again been subjected to a doping test together with second finisher Niarpan.

The trophy presentations were done by Mr Bernard Vassallo, Chairman of the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport together with the Chairman of the Malta Racing Club Dr Matthew Brincat.

Chukkas Coronation Cup Won by Uncle Bertie

On Sunday we had the Chukkas Coronation Cup which saw the third consecutive victory from just as many starts for Uncle Bertie. This horse was once again partnered by champion jockey Michael Sultana who has also once again re-affirmed his title.

Uncle Bertie and second placed Etoile du Pic were both taken in for dope testing.

During this week I had a very disturbing phone call by the owner of No Telling, Renald Camilleri. Mr Camilleri told me that his mare had lost the race before it even started due to a defect in the starting stalls. In fact whilst gate number 3 had opened it closed back on the mare again. The consequence of this was that she was late out losing a lot of ground whilst not mentioning the fact that this could have serious future repercussions as it might make thoroughbreds gate shy in the future.

Over the phone, Renald Camilleri explained that together with other owners they have repeatedly complained that gates 2, 3 and 4 are defective. To this effect, during this week he has also sent an e-mail to the flat racing coordinator Charles Pace as well as the Chairman of the Malta Racing Club Dr Matthew Brincat.

Let us hope that this problem is tackled before next season so that we do not have a repeat of such incidents. Owners spend a lot of time and money on their horses and they at least want to feel that they have a chance to compete fairly.

The following are the updated MRC classifications:

The race for Champion Driver has been decided a long time ago.

Champion Driver

1. Noel Baldacchino – 690
2. Charles Camilleri – 562
3. Julian Farrugia – 499

4. Rodney Gatt - 403
5. Tony Demanuele – 178

This is also another classifications that has been decided a long time ago.

Champion (Under 25) Young Driver

1. Rodney Gatt – 403
2. Shawn Portelli - 149
3. Clint Vassallo - 146
4. Chris Xerri - 98
5. Redent Magro – 74

This title will be decided tomorrow.

Most Consistent Horse

1. Bello Fratello - 59
2. Kakisis - 53
3. Count of Life – 51
4. Match de Bannes - 50
5. Lazume Simoni – 49

This classification is now closed.

Best Jockey Classification

1. Michael Sultana - 93
2. Oliver Briffa - 82
3. Demis Zammit - 68
4. Ramon Grima – 49
5. Eric Zammit – 41

As the flat races are finished for this season, this classification is also now finalized.

Best Thoroughbred Classification

1. Mean Mr Mustard - 40
2. Just The Best - 38
3. No Telling - 37
4. Etoile du Pic - 35
5. Lordswood - 32

Best Monte Driver Classification

1. Oliver Briffa – 8
2. Omar Cauchi / Eric Zammit – 7
4. Jane Lundin / Charles Pace - 2

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Horse racing to continue at Meadowlands with N.J. support while lease is negotiated

Posted: 17 Dec 2010 01:47 PM PST

Published: Friday, December 17, 2010, 4:43 PM Updated: Friday, December 17, 2010, 5:06 PM

TRENTON — Racing will continue at the Meadowlands with state support through April as owners and an investor try to negotiate a lease for the track, Gov. Chris Christie announced today.

Under an agreement arranged by the governor's office, the Standard Bred Owners Association will be permitted to negotiate a lease of the track that will be partially funded through off track betting.

Christie vetoed the schedule for racing at the Meadowlands last week after a study recommended ending meets at the track to allow for privatization. The sports authority will reapprove the track's schedule, Christie said.

Jeff Gural, the owner of two harness racing tracks, came forward as a prospective leaser this week, Christie said.

Gural said after successful starting a new track at Tioga Downs, he is confident there is a model to make harness racing profitable. An new grandstand will be built at the track, Gural said, across from the existing one.

The new grandstand will include a simulcast area, where betters can wager on races at other tracks across the country, and Gural added he's already spoken with some food vendors about moving into the space.

"It's an opportunity to show that harness racing can stand on it's own two feet and not require subsidy from the state," Gural said. "Had we lost the Meadowlands, not only would it have been a big blow to New Jersey, it would have been a big blow to the industry."

The arrangement will permit the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority to continue to subsidize purse and operation costs until April 1, Christie said. At that time, if a lease has been negotiated the state will continue to collect a portion of the simulcasting profits to repay the costs for the first three months of racing, about $1.2 million, he said.

If a lease cannot be negotiated by April 1, racing at the park will cease, but the state will still be repaid the $1.2 million through simulcast collections, Christie said.

Horse Racing

Saturday, December 18, 2010