The U*Bet Championships for Swedish trotters got underway yesterday at the Marsa Racetrack with the opening heats from the Bronze Division.

In all, there were five races in connection with the championships which were launched last week as Sunday afternoon races resumed following the long summer break.

Yesterday's card also included a Premier Class race and two events from the Gold division along with a race for flat sprinters, open for Class A on 1,750 metres.

The Premier Class race was an exciting affair from start to finish with first position alternating between four trotters. Eventually, it was Joker De Choisel, driven by veteran Frenċu Cassar, that won the race after shooting into the lead at the entrance to the final straight.

Hiracan De Brehan tried to catch up in the final metres but could only manage a second place in the end ahead of Knock De Manche.

Noel Baldacchino's Lucky King won its second race on the trot when running in the Gold 4. L'Alpha De Coss, in its third race in Malta, was second, finishing ahead of Ksar.

Karl Borealis looked set to win the Gold 5 race but was overtaken in the very last few metres by Kheops D'Ariane. Sheriff As was third.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 4 - El Paso STR (C. Camilleri).
Race 2: Bronze 5 - Glowing Star (G. Attard).
Race 3: Bronze 4 - Tapincha (J. Debattista).
Race 4: Flat Class A - Nikos Heriniere (E. Zammit).
Race 5: Bronze 2 - Lass Peace (R. Gatt).
Race 6: Gold 4 - Lucky King (N. Baldacchino).
Race 7: Premier - Joker De Choisel (F. Cassar).
Race 8: Bronze 2 - Echo Lloyd (C. Farrugia).
Race 9: Bronze 3 - Drabant Are (F. Cassar).
Race 10: Gold 5 - Kheops D'Ariane (C. Camilleri).