V86®: Wise Guy wants revenge – before aiming for France
The Swedish Trotting Criterium was the big goal of the season – but then came the disappointing break of stride shortly after the start.
On Wednesday, Wise Guy and Per Nordström head to Solvalla seeking revenge. After that, an adventure in France may follow.
"Part of the idea with this start is also that he’ll get this race under his belt ahead of a possible start at Vincennes," the trainer says.
During the Elitloppet weekend, 3 Wise Guy (V86-4) set a world record when he won the Breeders Course final.
A month later, the three-year-old star followed up with another victory in the E3 Final.
That made the son of Face Time Bourbon one of the main favorites when the season’s biggest battle, the Swedish Trotting Criterium, was set to be raced at Solvalla just over five weeks ago.
But those hopes turned into heartbreak when Wise Guy made a break shortly after the start and lost all chance.
"He broke going into the first turn and surprised many, including myself, by doing so. Normally, he’s stable in those situations, but that’s how it is – animals do what animals do. You never know for sure. But I have nothing to blame it on; he felt great that day and all preparations had gone well," says trainer Per Nordström.
Aiming for Vincennes next
After the Criterium hopes went up in smoke after only 200 meters, Wise Guy hasn’t raced since.
Until Wednesday. Then the top colt returns to the races as he seeks revenge – in the Criterium Revenge at Solvalla, which shares this week’s V86® card with Bjerke Racetrack in Oslo, Norway.
What has happened since the Criterium, where one assumes he was in top form?
"Of course he was, and after that he was vaccinated, took it a bit easier, and has also been evaluated for breeding. But recently he’s been training well, and I’d guess he’s in similar form to how he felt in the Criterium elimination. The horse feels very good. Part of the idea with Wednesday’s start is also to give him this race ahead of a possible start at Vincennes on December 7. It’s a bigger European race for three-year-olds and of course the competition is tough, but he’s a very good horse."
A start at the French national arena may await after Wednesday’s appearance.
The French adventure could be extended. One of the summer’s big talking points was the agreement between Italian breeder Antonio Somma, owner of Golden Gio, and Wise Guy’s owner Bertel Maigaard to let their three-year-olds meet in a spectacular match race at Vincennes during Prix d’Amérique weekend.
The winner of the duel takes home the entire purse – one million euros.
What’s the latest on the Vincennes duel?
"I don’t actually know. The only thing I know is that Bertel told me they have a written agreement for it, but beyond that, nothing is certain. It could also be that the race schedule at Vincennes is already set. So, we’ll see. But the owners want to test him at Vincennes, and that’s also part of why we’re aiming for a start there in December – so the horse gets to try the track and so on," Per says.
An exciting four-year-old season ahead
Regardless of what happens with that potential duel in Paris, Wise Guy clearly has an exciting future ahead.
After earning SEK 3.5 million this year, he will be among the most closely watched horses next season. His four-year-old campaign will be exciting.
"It really will be, and it’s the big races we’re aiming for. The King's Trophy comes first, and then, of course, the Derby. He already has most of what you want in a horse, but we can hope he continues to develop mentally. Sometimes he’s been a bit on the edge, especially behind the starting gate, and has been eager. But I think it’s mostly about maturity. When a horse gets older and gets more experience, things usually improve, and most horses develop a lot from three to four and become more fully grown."
But first comes the Criterium Revenge on Wednesday. Should we expect a good chance of winning?
"I definitely think he should have that," says Per Nordström, who finishes with details about shoes and equipment:
"I checked barefoot all around when I entered, but it will be barefoot in front, which is exactly what he had in the Criterium. And I haven’t decided on the bridle yet; it depends on how sharp he feels on that day."