The much awaited 2011 Emirates’ It-Tazza l-Kbira Final will be held next Sunday at the horse racing track in Marsa.
The prestigious horse racing trophy dates back its origins to 1934 and it is considered as the blue riband of Maltese trot racing. The race will be the sixth one on the programme with the 9 qualifying finalists vying to outdo each other in the 2640m Autostart race.
The participants are: Kakisis, Neo de Mira, Lonshults Anders, Madis Boy, Major Chaleonnais,
Lou Petiot, Isolated, Marathon Villers, Netter Williams.
The winner will be awarded the coveted It-Tazza l-Kbira for a year. The total prize money is €4,100, consisting of a first prize of €2,500, €1,000 for the runner-up; €400 for the third place and €200 for the fourth place. The first four places will each receive an Emirates trophy, while the winning horse will receive the Emirates branded blanket marked with It-Tazza l-Kbira 2011.
The prize-giving ceremony will be carried out by Emirates Manager for Malta and Cyprus, Paul Fleri Soler. This is the third consecutive year that Emirates Airline is partnering with the Malta Racing Club.
Fleri Soler said: “Emirates, as the Official sponsor of the 52nd edition of It-Tazza l-Kbira, which enjoys a longstanding tradition and the only horse racing event in Malta that is open to all trotters and classes, is confident that Sunday will be a memorable day for the thousands of Maltese enthusiasts.”
Speaking on behalf of the drivers and supporters of the sport, MRC Chairman Dr Matthew Brincat thanked Emirates Airline for providing the necessary financial support. “This trophy is a legacy of the Maltese horse racing culture. The tradition, history and racing associated with this trophy means a lot to horse racing enthusiasts. We anticipated a good crowd for this Sunday and the club has been planning various other activities for the all the family to enjoy. This year we will have a new name on the trophy as none of the 9 finalists has ever lifted this honour,” said Dr Brincat.
An Emirates branded horse blanket will also be presented to the all finalists before the race.
Sunday’s meeting starts at 2pm with seven races on the card. The final, the seventh in the programme, starts at 4.30pm.