This year’s Mediterranean Derby, re-scheduled for next Sunday 23 December, is being sponsored by Assikura Insurance Brokers Limited of St Venera.

The Prize Money, Blanket and Trophies are being sponsored by the same company and Mr Andrew Grech, Managing Director of Assikura, will be presenting Trophies to the Winners.

This year’s Derby is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent years wherein qualification to the Derby was hard earned all through the 2007 season and qualification was through a points system.

All competitors had wins through the season. Managing Director just qualified with three wins in a row showing his outstanding stamina over the years.

Controversy over his qualification persisted when he tested positive to doping. Although he was disqualified and his prize given to second placed Waterpaint, he was not stripped of his points.

The rules regarding doping presently state that points will not be taken away as this is a penalty to the horse. This is definitely applicable in case of trotters but certainly not for the flat racing horses.

This flaw and lacuna in the rules will have to be amended at the start of the season wherein for the flat racehorses the only penalty that will stay on is the weight gained and not the points.

Had it not been this technicality this legendary horse would not be participating in the Derby. The five times Derby winner would definitely have been deprived of his chance to defend his title.

Yet the Derby remains full of surprises as Etoile Du Pic, a French mare, and Privileged Boy an Irish gelding, can surprise Managing Director.

Alessien has been scratched as he is unfit and the Coronation Cup Winner Minglaz has declined his right to compete and so second place winner Pour L’Amour will take his place.

The Derby finalists are Generous Sprint, Privileged Boy, Kohima, Etoile du Pic, Diouganier, Managing Director, Waterpaint and Pour l’Amour.

The Award for the Best Jockey of the season is still in contention.

Both Michael Sultana and Oliver Briffa stand a chance to overtake Eric Zammit who is out of action due to injury.

Zammit stands at 55, Sultana at 54 and Briffa at 50. The Award for the most consistent horse is also still in contention. Privileged Boy can overtake Generous Spirit only with a Derby Winner.