V85®: Equipment change could give the fan favorite another gear
Månlykke A.M. is back in the spotlight on Saturday.
After three straight third-place finishes, his trainer is planning an equipment change that could help the crowd favorite find an extra gear.
“We’re trying to fine-tune a bit to get him as good as possible,” says Gunnar Melander.
This week, Bergsåker Racetrack in Sundsvall hosts V85®. A multi-jackpot means the eight-win pool will amount to at least SEK 50 million, combined with a high level of competition — something that will have all trotting fans licking their lips. The day’s biggest winner’s check, SEK 200,000, will be handed out in Brimsguttens Minne, where many fingers will be crossed for the popular Månlykke A.M. (V85-3) and his equally beloved trainer Gunnar Melander. But the pair haven’t won since September 9 and are coming to Bergsåker with three straight third-place finishes on their record.
“He’s been a bit so-so, honestly. In training he feels terrific, no problems there, but he’s acted a bit up and down in races and been a bit tricky late in the stretch,” says Gunnar Melander, who this time will remove all four shoes from his horse’s hooves and may also change the bridle, hoping to give Månlykke A.M. an extra gear when it’s time to decide the race.
“He showed he was really good barefoot in two races in September, and we might also use a pull-down bridle for the first time since the Elitkampen, when he went with a can't-see-back pull-down bridle. I’ll decide after the warm-up, and whether it’ll be can't-see-back or blind remains to be seen — but we’re trying to fine-tune things to get him as good as possible.”
Traveling to Sundsvall with hopes of victory
This time, Månlykke A.M. starts from the inside post with a 20-meter handicap. Starting from the same distance is the race favorite, the winning machine Ulvsåsen.
“Of course, it’s a tough race, but he’s good himself, and if we get a nice trip, I think he’ll be right there with them. It’s hard to predict how the race will unfold, but he usually races well from any position. He’s speedy and has raced well when he’s been able to sit behind others and finish strongly. Ulvsåsen will probably be the huge favorite, but I have a good horse, and with the right trip, he’s beaten these horses before. I’m going to Bergsåker with the mindset that we can win,” says Gunnar Melander.
He will drive his horse himself for the fifth time in a row after previously letting Magnus A Djuse take the reins for a period. And at 78 years old, Gunnar Melander could set an unbeatable age record in the new million-kronor game V85. He already holds the title of the oldest winning driver on V75.
“I’ve chosen to drive these races myself because I’ve felt that his form hasn’t been quite as good, but it’s also a lot of fun to drive,” says Gunnar Melander.