This afternoon during a press conference at the Malta Racing Club boardroom the latest details were given regarding the Johnnie Walker Cup Final as the owners drew the starting numbers for the finalist horses.

The press conference was addressed by the General Secretary of the Malta Racing Club Tommy Cunningham and M.Demajo Wines & Spirits Ltd Marketing Manger Alfred Braddick.

On behalf of the owners, Tommy Cunningham thanked the sponsor for helping out financially to organise this championship for the 6th consecutive year.  He said that this prestigious trophy has been part of the Malta Racing Club’s story since 1939 and whilst it was mostly associated with flat racing, when the new racetrack was opened the first trotting championship on 7th June 1981 was the Johnnie Walker Cup which was won by Fust driven by the legendary Anthony Cassar in-Noqqu. For the 5th consecutive year this trophy has been reserved for the Gold category horses and it has now become customary that it is the first championship after the summer break.

Participation this year has been a good one with 75 horses taking part in 7 heats so that last Sunday the 12 finalists were made known after taking part in three semi finals. He took the opportunity to wish all the best to the owners and drivers taking part in the final on Sunday 4th November.

Alfred Braddick said that on behalf of M.Demajo Wines & Spirits Ltd it was a pleasure for him to be once again addressing the owners of the finalist horses taking part in the Johnnie Walker Cup. Whilst he wished each and everyone of them all the best for a great race he admitted that he always looked forward to this event especially as the atmosphere and excitement on the day was an experience like no other.

He said that once again the total prize money was €1600 and trophies will be awarded to the first four finishers. The winning horse also gets a commemorative blanket whilst to celebrate in style M.Demajo Wines & Spirits Ltd will be giving bottles of their whiskey to the first four finishers.  The winner will get a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the second placed will get a Johnnie Walker 18 year old, third place gets a Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve whilst fourth placed gets a Johnnie Walker Green.

At the end of the press conference the owners drew the numbers with which their horses are going to start behind the autostart on Sunday 4th November. The race will be the seventh one on the card and starts at 4:00 pm.

Lorraine Cunningham

Public Relations & Media Coordinator

Malta Racing Club

MRC/15/18