V75®: Open Swedish Championships after the draw
Post twelve for the superstar Francesco Zet, nine for Mellby Jinx, and eight for Bicc’s Tobee.
Lady Luck turned her back on the favorites when the draw for the Swedish Championship (SM) took place – setting up an unpredictable title clash at Åby Racetrack.
Before the draw, Francesco Zet was the overwhelming favorite for the SM crown. The near-SEK 25-million earner will still likely carry that status, but from the worst starting position behind the gate, his road to the title will be anything but straightforward. Mellby Jinx, most recently runner-up behind Francesco Zet in the Sundsvall Open Trot, also landed a second-tier post. And even though the winner of the Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg's Pokal, Bicc’s Tobee starts in the first tier, he too faces a tricky spot with post eight.
"Of course, we had hoped for a better draw, but this makes the race more open and exciting," commented Bicc’s Tobee’s trainer, Maria Törnqvist.
"Still in very good form"
Her high-class trotter easily held the lead from the inside post last time, dominating his five-year-old peers in the Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg’s Pokal. In the start before, he also won from the front after being sent there from post three behind the gate. This time, however, with fast starters inside – not least the capable Castor the Star from post six – driver Dwight Pieters will need to find alternative tactics.
"We have a very quick horse, but sending everything from post eight over 2,640 meters would be like shooting yourself in the head. He’ll probably go forward a bit, then see how it unfolds and if there’s a chance to slot in somewhere," says Törnqvist.
Much will depend on race development and positioning, but if Pieters can get a good trip, the youngest horse in the field could once again be dangerous. According to his trainer, the form remains strong – and she doesn’t believe the longer distance will be an issue.
"If I should complain about anything, it’s that the breaks between starts have been a little too long, but everything is really good with the horse. He feels great in training, and I think he’s still in very good form. It’s the first time over 2,640 meters, but I don’t think that will be a problem. From a better draw, it would have felt very interesting. Now he’s one of several with a chance."
The Swedish Championship offers SEK 500,000 to the winner and serves as the closing leg of Saturday’s V75®. Earlier on the card, other SM titles will be decided – including the Mare Championship, where European Championship runner-up Olly Håleryd will be the favorite from post two behind the gate.