On Friday, a great Summer championship finals programme ended the first phase of the 2012 season in front of a good crowd at the Marsa racetrack.

The hero of the day was French 12-year-old trotter Milord Barbes (Frencu Cassar) at its first seasonal win, landing the Premier class Summer championship.

Mont Cenis Honey took an early lead from Milord Barbes and Power Night Star, and maintained it until the final straight when Milord Barbes’ determined attack put it in front and it went on to triumphantly cross the finishing line, a length ahead of Power Night Star, Veikko Hornline and Mont Cenis Honey.

Milord Barbes clocked a splendid 1’14’6 per kilometre, the best time in Malta on the 2,140m distance for over 3 years.

In the Gold class final, Nacarat Campbell (Rodney Gatt) claimed its second seasonal win and repeated last year’s success, thanks to a strong final straight which saw it overpower Orion du Vaumicel and Pouvoir Magique by less than a length, in a time of 1’16’1 per kilometre.

Cal Win (Shaun Portelli) also recorded its second seasonal win beating the field in the Silver class final. It went in front with around half a lap to go and maintained a small lead till the end, to finish ahead of Bankir Zon and Orage du Pont, also in 1’16’1 per kilometre.

The remaining finals were won by Quouky du Soir (Redent Magro) – Bronze class final, Loulou de la Rose – Copper class final, Ouragan de Crouay (Larson Mifsud) – Silver class consolation final and Orio de Marancourt (Frencu Cassar) – Bronze class consolation final.

After these splendid finals, races now stop for the summer break, with the season continuing in the first half of September.