U*BET semis at Marsa

The fourth meeting of the season at Marsa yesterday was made up of six U*BET semi-finals for Premier, Silver and Bronze trotters from Sweden, all on 2,140m.

The card also included two Poligas Ltd races on the rather long 2,640m distance, for Silver and Bronze classes, and a flat event for Class A runners.

Alf Eme, in its third race in Malta, won the first Premier semi-final after leading for most of the distance.

Arnie Sensation was a close second and newcomer Really Good was third ahead of Tough East and Jet Space.

In the other Premier semi-final, Bello Fratello just managed to pass the post first in front of Think Yatzee. The other trotters to make the final were Isolated, Staro Tonic and Lajos Useful.

Noble Spirit looked set to win the first Silver semi-final but was pipped to the post by Notice As. Black Guy was third to qualify along with Gingoro and Keep In.

Charles Camilleri's Gigo Lloyd increased its pace along the last 150m to win the second Silver semi-final yesterday. Gigo Lloyd will be joined in the final by Aces Americ, Lex Wall, G. Force Son and Prince Brilliance.

In the only flat race of the day, Irish newcomer Letthewordgoforth, with Ryan Neil Azzopardi as jockey, led from start to finish to win in style.

Nikos Heriniere was a close second and Genievre third.

Meanwhile, popular driver and trainer Charles Degiorgio was yesterday presented with a memento by Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli in recognition of his nomination as best driver at the Mantorp Race Course in Sweden where he is based.

It was also announced that Degiorgio will benefit from a Malta Tourism Authority sponsorship over the next two years.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze, Jean Perrine (C. Cassar).

Race 2: Silver, Lads Hurricane (C. Caruana).

Race 3: Bronze, Internet (R. Clifton).

Race 4: Bronze, Robin Lou (M. Ellul).

Race 5: Silver, Notice As (R. Gatt).

Race 6: Premier, Alf Eme (N.Baldacchino).

Race 7: Silver, Gigo Lloyd (C. Camilleri).

Race 8: Premier, Bello Fratello (A. Spagnol).

Race 9: Flat, Letthewordgoforth (R.N. Azzopardi).