V75®: A bruised Lilius ready for new victories
A bit bruised after the accident just over a week ago, Marcus Lilius is back in the sulky.
"I'm incredibly fired up and want to win races again—and I'd love to do it already on Saturday," says Lilius.
It’s been just over a week since Marcus Lilius was involved in a serious accident. He was on his way to the races in Hoting when he collided with an excavator. His eleven-year-old son Alwin and friend, groom Rasmus Lundgren, were also in the vehicle.
Considering the circumstances, everyone is doing well, although Lilius sustained several injuries and required 50 stitches on his cheek, upper arm, and neck.
"I feel good and things are going well. I was on sick leave for a week. I’d feel worse just sitting at home doing nothing. Plus, I’m a competitive person—I want to perform and take care of my clients. If you're away for too long, people forget about you. I raced on Sunday, and now it's full speed ahead all week. I'm ready and excited," says Marcus Lilius.
Short homestretch
On Saturday, the V75® will be held at Lilius’s home track, Hagmyren. Last Saturday, the million-dollar game was held at Axevalla, which has the country’s longest homestretch at 227 meters. Hagmyren, on the other hand, has the second-shortest stretch in Sweden—just 161 meters—a 66-meter difference that clearly benefits horses on the front end.
"It's definitely an advantage to be up front, and if you have a good horse in the lead, you’re sitting on a winning hand."
Marcus Lilius is listed on four horses on the V75 card, and he hopes to take advantage of the lead with 1 Hercules Godiva in the first V75 leg.
"He's in really good form and has had a lot of bad luck recently. Hercules Godiva can leave fast, and I’ll do everything I can to get to the lead. If I manage that, I think we have a solid chance. He holds up well in this class and is my best chance of the day."
In V75-3, he drives 9 Illusion Of Joy, who will be an underdog.
"I’m keeping expectations a bit lower, even though the horse is good and in good form. He won last time and really deserved it. Illusion Of Joy doesn't need a certain trip, but this time he's facing tough opponents and has a tricky post. I’ll drive a bit more conservatively."
Many horses in the mix
Marcus Lilius works for Jan-Olov Persson, and in the cold-blood race (V75-4), the stable has three starters.
"My drive 14 Backhammer has really found his stride lately and is in fantastic form. He feels terrific in training and is one of many who can win the race.
1 Ellbert wasn’t sound last time out and has been treated. He feels great in training now and is good enough for this class. The post position is ideal, and if things go his way, he’s definitely in the mix.
12 Hulte Sixten made a break in his last start, and I don’t know why. Otherwise, he’s in excellent form, and he too could finish strongly if things go his way."
How do you view this race? It looks pretty open.
"Yes, I completely agree. I think there are seven or eight horses that could win. If I were a bettor, I wouldn’t hold back in this leg."
He also hopes to be in the mix with 5 A Last Chance (V75-7).
"The horse is in good form. She won a leg of the Diamantstoet in Boden three starts ago, and in the final, she was locked in with plenty left. The conditions are ideal with a good post over the short distance. I don’t want to commit to a specific tactic. I don’t feel beaten beforehand and consider her an outsider."