Akela Play Wins 2nd Consecutive ALDB Sette Giugno Cup

Raced during the evening of one of Malta’s National Holidays, the ALDB Sette Giugno Cup provided a thrilling finish worthy of the elite field it aligned. Unfortunately just a few hours before the actual final, Charming Soldier, who the previous year had finished 3rd, was declared as a non starter but the public still got to witness what they were expecting with the winner being decided just on the finishing post. As was predicted favourite Velvet Gio took the lead keeping an upbeat pace. As the race developed it was getting evident that last year’s winner and second favourite Akela Play was going to have a hard time to find enough space at the right time in order to be able to challenge for the victory but Charles Degiorgio suddenly found the gap and Akela Play responded quickly enough to fly the last few metres and grap his second Sette Giugno Cup title. Akela Play also managed to register an average timing of 1’13″3 beating by 1/10th of a second the previous fastest time in the final whilst also becoming the second horse since the race’s inception in 2011 to register back to back victories.

The trophy presentation to owners Alessio and Jean Paul Vella was done by ALDB & Associates’ Director Aldo Busuttil in the presence of MRC Chairman Anthony Mifsud and Malta Equidrome’s CEO Matthew Brincat.

Photos: Alex Azzopardi