V75® (Tuesday): Mellby Jinx in pole position
Seven-year-old Mellby Jinx is better than ever.
On Tuesday, he’s the favorite to win the Hugo Åbergs Memorial.
"It looks very promising on paper—we're optimistic," says Oskar Florhed.
Just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, the action kicks off at Jägersro.
The field lines up for one of the summer’s absolute highlights: the Hugo Åbergs Memorial.
The favorite to win is Mellby Jinx, driven by Daniel Wäjersten, who could take the title for the second year in a row. Last year, he won with Borups Victory, who charged hard down the home stretch in a lightning-fast finish.
"It would be amazing to win again. Mellby Jinx is a true warrior, owned in Skåne, and would surpass SEK 10 million in career earnings if he wins,” says Oskar Florhed, assistant trainer in the Wäjersten stable.
Mellby Jinx has been competing at the top level since he was two years old and is now, at seven, better than ever. This year, he’s had a stellar season so far, with a win in the Finlandia-Ajo, the Elitloppet elimination, and both a heat and final in the Gold Division at Solvalla—earning over 2.2 million SEK.
"He hasn’t raced badly one single time this year. He won his Elitloppet elimination very easily, despite a blazing-fast start. In the final, he also left very quickly and got tired, but there’s nothing to complain about there. I don’t think any other horse in the field could’ve handled such a fast start in two races that close together. Since then, he’s had two races where he came from behind at full speed across the finish line. He feels great, and I believe he’ll be at least as good as he was when he won his Elitloppet elimination."
The plan is to take the lead
The post position draw worked out perfectly for Mellby Jinx. With the inside post behind the starting gate, the tactic is clear for this quick starter.
"We're going for the lead. I can't see anyone outleaving him. It’s 1,609 meters, which makes it even harder for the others to get past. Mellby Jinx is very effective in the lead—even though he's just as good from behind, being in front at Jägersro is a big advantage."
Will there be many equipment changes?
"Yes, now we're going all in. In his last two starts, he raced with shoes, a regular sulky, and an open bridle. This time, he’ll race barefoot all around, an American sulky, a pull-down bridle, and pullout earplugs."
So, to sum it all up—it’s looking good, right?
"Yes, it definitely looks promising on paper. We have every reason to be optimistic."
The Hugo Åbergs Memorial is raced over 1,609 meters behind the starting gate. The winner receives SEK 1,609,000.