The winter championship sponsored by the French horse racing association (SECF) reserved only for French born trotters got underway over the two race meetings held on Saturday and Sunday at the Marsa race track. A total of 19 races were held, 18 trot heats over a 2,640m distance and one Flat race won by PRINCE YARRAMAN (M Sultana).

As expected, the three Premier Class heats were the main attraction. That held on Saturday was possibly the best of the lot, as MILORD BARBES (F Cassar) sprinted five wide off the field in the last half lap to claim its third seasonal victory ahead of pre-race favourite MIG OF THE WOOD (N Baldacchino).

On Sunday, MAJOR CHALEONNAIS (C Debono) registered the best timing of the weekend, 1’16’’0, to win ahead of MASTER PERRINE (N Barbara), while the final Premier class heat was won by newcomer NELSON DU VAL (S Cutajar). The latter had a comfortable win, when it led for most of the time, with MICA BONERO (D Galea) placing second.

Two newcomers, OSCAR DE LA VALLEE and OUEST DU VIVIER, had a wonderful debut in Malta winning two of the Gold class heats, with the other Gold class events going to NO COMPRENDO and NIGHT INLET, both at their second seasonal win.

Over the weekend races four newcomers claimed victory, while young, promising driver Rodney Gatt also registered four victories and a number of placings.