V75® (Sunday): A dark horse in top form in the Swedish Trotting Derby
From last to photo-finish second in just half a lap.
Romulus Tooma delivered a phenomenal finish in the elimination for the Swedish Trotting Derby and is a big dark horse in Sunday’s final.
"If we get a perfect trip where everything works out, he can be right up there," says trainer and driver Peter G Norman.
It looked hopeless for Romulus Tooma (V75-6) as he sat sixth on the outside in his elimination for trotting’s blue-ribbon event, the Swedish Trotting Derby at Jägersro. Approaching the final turn, he was still last, but 500 meters later, he was fighting for victory.
"It felt completely hopeless on the backstretch, especially when he was stuck behind a tired horse that went three-wide, forcing him to swing inside. It was a mile up in the final turn, but then he delivered a heck of a finish down the stretch. Sure, it helped that they had gone so fast, especially the first 500 meters, but he shouldn’t be ashamed of his spot in the final. I think his finish was impressive," says Norman.
The powerful surge nearly took him to victory, but the photo showed that massive longshot Luckisanattitude, who also delivered a strong finish, had his nose in front at the line. What is certain, though, is that Romulus Tooma has hit peak form just in time for the four-year-olds’ biggest challenge.
"His form is absolutely on top! He’s felt good since the elimination, and now it’s just about refueling and recharging him again. There’s not much to do this week to make him better, just making sure to keep him loose so he’s as fresh and sharp as possible on Sunday."
Driving his first Derby
In the elimination, Örjan Kihlström handled the reins behind Romulus Tooma. On Sunday, Peter G Norman will get up in the sulky himself, for the first time in the Swedish Trotting Derby.
"It’s huge. The Derby is one of the biggest races you can drive, and to race a horse that I train in it is even bigger,” says the Solvalla trainer, who will guide his horse from post six behind the gate over the Derby distance of 2,640 meters.
"It’s one of the best draws he’s had since coming to me. The key is to have a little luck and find a good position, then we’ll take it from there. He’s very quick out of the gate if you leave with him, but if you push too hard early, you risk dulling his finishing speed. It’s hard to have a set plan beforehand beyond just getting him away cleanly and hoping for some racing luck. It would be exciting to see him near the front and see how far that could take him.”
"High hopes"
The Derby carries a first prize of SEK 2 million, double that for horses like Romulus Tooma enrolled in the Breeders’ Bonus, 'Premiechansen'. The only mare in the field, La Yuca, comes in with five straight wins and, together with Bullet the BlueSky and Dream Mine, will be among the hottest favorites. But lurking just behind is Romulus Tooma.
"Of course, I have high hopes if we get a good trip. I think it’s a tough and very even race where many horses can win. Nobody can just go out and do everything on their own—it all depends on how the race unfolds. The one who gets the best trip wins, and if we get that perfect trip where everything works out, he can be right up there."