Two horse-racing meetings will be held at the Marsa racetrack this long weekend, one today (a public holiday) and the other on Sunday. These involve all-trot race cards both starting at 1.30pm.

Each meeting includes an interesting Premier class race, with 15 trotters in each race, among which seven newcomers, five French and two Swedes. These are horses with a fine past overseas and they should further enhance the competitive spirit at our racecourse.

The other competitors in these top class races include many popular horses, such as recent winners Fire, True Q, and Noble d’Ete, recent Prix d’Enghien winner Night Inlet and other horses coming from good performances.

We also have two Gold class races in each meeting. These should be extremely uncertain and hard-fought encounters, including various horses which till recently were competing in the Premier class, winners of prestigious championships, and some recent newcomers. Some of these horses would also be promoted to the Premier class with a win or a good place.

A minute’s silence will be observed at the racetrack in today’s meeting to honour the memory of driver George “Bubuna” Schembri, a well-known and respected figure, winner of many prestigious races in both trot as well as flat racing.

It is fitting that the racing community honours its protagonists not just during their lifetime but also on their demise.

Our condolences go to his family and loved ones.