racing meet of the new season -- but three late scratches reduced the first half of the programme to just three two-pony races.

Gold Mate, driven by Nick DeCosta, won her first race in Bermuda in the 1:17.1 and slower time bar while Tux's Little Five driven by Johnnie Five finished second but then returned to win the second heat.

David Lopes' Championne County won her first race of the season, beating Catch A Fire (D.Seymour) by just one fifth of a second.

But Catch A Fire won the second heat in 1:10.3 and now moves up to the next time bar which is the Junior Free For All.

Eddie Roque was the day's top driver with six wins, two each with Jandis Giddy Upgo, Tuxedo's Bow Tie and Tuxedo's Formal Attire.

The latter clocked the fastest time of the day, winning one of the Free For All heats in 1:10 with Brittany Gold a close second.

Other Free For All heat winners were Custom Eyes'd with Shoron Hunt and Grand Shady driven by Nick DeCosta.

Next race day is October 24, post time 1.00 p.m.