The Malta Racing Club has published the full race programme for Sunday 4 January, promising a packed afternoon of competitive action across a wide range of classes, distances and categories.

The card features 24 races, offering variety for racing enthusiasts, from Dawra and Xaretta Bit events to several Shetland Trot races that highlight emerging talent. The programme caters for different levels, with races classified from A1 down to D, ensuring competitive and balanced contests throughout the day.

Strong Opening Races

The meeting gets underway with Race 1 (D Class), where Bard, Diesel and Sandwich Boy headline a competitive opener. Early on, attention will also be on Race 2 (C Class) and Race 3 (C Class), featuring runners such as Brimbu, Tyson, Tobija and Ryker, who are expected to set the tone for the afternoon.

Mid-Card Highlights

The middle part of the programme is particularly busy, with races 5 through 11 showcasing depth and quality. Race 5 (B Class) includes Grey Shadow and Spotty Boy, while Race 7 (A Class) sees Fire Girl, Golden Fire and Magic Meadow go head-to-head.

One of the standout events is Race 11 (A1 +20m), featuring Bianca, Shooting Girl, Go Go Blue and the well-regarded Naughty Dancer, making it one of the most anticipated races of the day.

Shetland Trot Features

Shetland racing plays a prominent role, with multiple races dedicated to the category. Races 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 span Classes C, B and A1, with familiar names such as Daisy, Midnight Sparkle, Spotty Lady and Spirit appearing across the programme. These races are expected to draw particular interest given the competitiveness and close margins typical of Shetland events.

Dawra and Xaretta Events

The latter stages of the card feature several Dawra races, including Race 17 (D Class) and Race 18 (D Class), where Cassidy, Phar Lap, Unexpected and Black Devil are among the runners to watch.

The meeting concludes with Xaretta Bit and Xaretta Trott races, with Races 21 to 24 closing the programme. Horses such as Del Piero, Baby Spirit, Midnight Sparkle and Family Lady round off a full and varied day of racing.

With a broad mix of classes and categories, Sunday’s meeting promises competitive racing from start to finish, offering plenty of intrigue for followers of the local racing scene.