LAST Sunday, Malta Racing Club hosted the fifth Ladies International Championship at Marsa Racetrack. The winner, Italian Maria Giovanna Bortolanza, impressed in driving a winner and a second, gaining 28 points. Taking the placings, Lithuanian Gedvile Vinslauskaite (second) and Norwegian Renate Aarlie (third) both gained 24 points.

Irish representative Brenda Hudson was among the 19 best female drivers. In her first race, after leading all the way on Italian-bred gelding Orsini, her mount went off-stride in the final 200 metres. However, Brenda proved her title of best sportswoman by accepting the unlucky result with grace.