V75®: Australian barefoot dance in the Boden midnight sun
In the Elitloppet, he did not make it past the elimination, but there was nothing wrong with his effort.
This Saturday, the Australian horse The Locomotive gets another chance in the Norrbottens Stora Pris at Bodentravet.
"Of course, I have high hopes," says Susanne Frang, the trainer responsible for the horse during his stay in Sweden.
Bad luck struck the long-distance visitor, The Locomotive (V75-7), when he drew post position seven in his Elitloppet elimination. The way the race unfolded then crushed any remaining hopes of making it to the final. After a slow opening kilometer, it was nearly impossible to get into contention, and he crossed the finish line in sixth place.
"He was in incredibly good shape for the elimination — we had him just where we wanted. But we couldn’t do anything about the draw, and with a 1:11.7 first kilometer, it was a hopeless task. Still, we were very pleased with how the horse looked and felt, according to Brad. It was a solid effort," says Susanne Frang.
The amateur-licensed trainer from Solvalla has been responsible for The Locomotive since he arrived in Sweden in April. Since the Elitloppet, she is now officially listed as the horse's trainer, instead of his regular trainer, Brad Hewitt.
"That’s for practical reasons. Now that the horse is staying here, it’s easier for me to handle everything if I’m listed as the trainer."
Susanne Frang is also entirely in charge of the training for the four-time millionaire.
"Of course, we check in with each other from time to time, but Brad doesn’t interfere with the training. Both he and the owner, Glen (Holland), have given me their full trust, which is incredibly reassuring and something I’m grateful for."
Despite being bred and trained in Australia, The Locomotive shows no signs of culture shock in the stable.
"No, not at all. He’s an uncomplicated, easygoing, and smart horse who quickly adapted to our routines. He also has tremendous charisma — he knows he’s good, and he has amazing confidence and calmness."
A fast starter in Australia
On Saturday, Bodentravet hosts its annual "Midnight Trot". The highlight of the V75® card, which starts at 8:30 PM, is the Norrbottens Stora Pris, offering SEK 1 million to the winner. This time, The Locomotive had better luck in the draw — he got post four behind the car, while top rival Don Fanucci Zet ended up with post eight. That’s nearly the opposite of the Elitloppet conditions, where The Locomotive had post seven and Don Fanucci Zet, who won from the lead, had post three.
"Back home in Australia, he’s a real rocket at the start, and most of his wins have come from the lead. But it’s up to the driver to decide the tactics — that’s their job, and they know best what to do in the moment."
With regular driver Brad Hewitt back in Australia and Susanne Frang’s partner, Magnus A Djuse suspended, the reins go to Ulf Ohlsson. The trainer doesn’t think the horse will mind the change.
"I could probably drive this horse myself. Jokes aside, he’s such an easy horse to handle that I don’t think there will be any problems. Ulf is incredibly experienced and calm, so I’m sure it will go great.”
Racing barefoot for the first time
Unlike last time, The Locomotive is entered with a regular style sulky instead of an American-style one — but that’s not quite what it seems.
"It’s because the ‘Finntack Yankee’ is technically classified as a regular style sulky. That’s what we use for our horses, and there’s really no difference from a traditional American sulky," explains Susanne Frang.
The most notable change is that the horse will be racing barefoot all around for the first time.
"He’s never raced barefoot, but he’s always had lightweight aluminum shoes, so the jump isn’t that big. I’m convinced he’ll handle it perfectly and that it will be to his advantage."
How do you rate your chances in the Norrbottens Stora Pris?
"Of course, I have high hopes now that we’ve drawn a favorable post and Don Fanucci Zet got a more difficult one. But I still have huge respect for him, and there are other good horses in the race. Our horse came out of the last race very well, and I think we have a reasonable chance of being in the mix. It’s going to be very exciting!"