Meeting 43 Results – Krafft Gold Championship Heats Take Centre Stage
Meeting 43 of the 2026 season took place at the Malta Equidrome on Sunday, 4 October, with eight races on the programme.
The afternoon opened with two P&M Farrugia Copper-class condition race qualifiers before attention turned to the Krafft Gold Championship, with six qualifying heats contested over 2,140 metres.
Jesmar Gafa recorded two victories during the meeting after sweeping the opening two Copper-class races on Kiri Farceur and Merveille Destinee whilst Rodney Gatt enjoyed a particularly successful start to the Gold Championship, driving the winners of the opening two heats with Daniel Autriche and Fifty Winner.
Race 1 – P & M Farrugia Condition Race Qualifiers
Kiri Farceur, driven by Jesmar Gafa, opened the meeting with victory in the first Copper-class qualifier, stopping the clock at 1'16"8.
- Kiri Farceur — Jesmar Gafa
- Gosse Fredano — Rodney Gatt
- Jenna du Val d'Or — Frederick Mallia
- Karlissime Atout — Charlton Gauci
Race 2 – P & M Farrugia Condition Race Qualifiers
Jesmar Gafa completed a double in the second race as Merveille Destinee claimed the second Copper qualifier in 1'16"6.
- Merveille Destinee — Jesmar Gafa
- Ivanhoe de Retz — Wayne Cutajar
- Isseo de Nappes — Redent Magro
- Jaguar des Caux — Jean Claude Pace
Race 3 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 1
The first heat of the Krafft Gold Championship went to Daniel Autriche and Rodney Gatt. Daniel Autriche produced the fastest winning time of the meeting, completing the 2,140 metres in 1'13"3.
- Daniel Autriche — Rodney Gatt
- Jigsaw Puzzle — Charles Camilleri
- Hommage de Larre — Anton Cassar
- Impact Castelets — Richard Attard Jnr.
Race 4 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 2
Rodney Gatt was back in the winner's enclosure in the second Gold Championship heat, this time partnering Fifty Winner to victory in 1'15"5.
- Fifty Winner — Rodney Gatt
- Hope — Paul Galea
- Gold de la Cote — Miguel Mckay
- Franky Satyne — Marius Mizzi
Race 5 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 3
Guepard Griff, driven by Alex Cortis, took the third championship heat in 1'14"8, narrowly beating In The Air and Ms. Laura Frendo.
- Guepard Griff — Alex Cortis
- In The Air — Ms. Laura Frendo
- Durello — Oliver Briffa
- She's A Lady — Anthony Curmi
Race 6 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 4
Iron de Ginai and Ms. Chantel Abela produced a strong performance in the fourth Gold Championship heat, winning in 1'14"1 ahead of Eland.
- Iron de Ginai — Clint Vassallo
- Eland — Jesmar Gafa
- Ho Medocain — Noel Baldacchino
- Gone — Rodney Gatt
Race 7 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 5
The fifth heat saw Smiley Brodda, driven by Ludovic Ghigo, take victory in 1'14"5. Heiko Vanceen finished second, two tenths behind the winner.
- Smiley Brodda — Ludovic Ghigo
- Heiko Vanceen — Noel Baldacchino
- First des Charrons — Rodney Gatt
- Fuliggine Pal — Dylan Baldacchino
Race 8 – Krafft Gold Championship Heat 6
The final race of the afternoon went to Pure Joy and Ms. Cherise Farrugia. Pure Joy won the sixth and final Gold Championship heat in 1'14"2, ahead of Geting and Rodney Gatt.
- Pure Joy — Ms. Cherise Farrugia
- Geting — Rodney Gatt
- Black Mission — Cliferty Calleja
- Gold From Heaven — Paul Galea
Gold Championship Heats Complete
With all six qualifying heats now completed, Daniel Autriche, Fifty Winner, Guepard Griff, Iron de Ginai, Smiley Brodda and Pure Joy emerged as the winners from the opening round of the Krafft Gold Championship.
Rodney Gatt and Jesmar Gafa were the top performers amongst the drivers whilst Pure Joy grabbed his 8th victory for the calendar year.