The highlights of this afternoon’s programme at the Marsa racecourse will undoubtedly be the final of the Emirates’ Tazza l-Kbira, where a huge crowd is anticipated.

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.

Before this much awaited final there is a going to be a show of Ferrari models, together with Harley Davidson motorcycles.

The prize-giving ceremony will be carried out by Emirates Manager for Malta and Cyprus, Paul Fleri Soler.

This year we will have a new name on the trophy as none of the nine finalists has ever lifted this honour.