V85: Hometown hopeful in top form going into the E3 final: "His best race so far last time out"
Last time he just got beat, but the impression was first-class. Joakim Elfving has his talented three-year-old City Slicker where he wants him heading into the "short" E3 final on home soil.
"It felt like that was probably the best race he has put in so far," says the trainer ahead of Saturday's V85 at Romme.
The three-year-olds take center stage when Saturday's V85 is held at Romme.
It is time for the "short" E3 finals, which are contested over the sprint distance of 1,640 meters, started with the gate.
Hometown trainer Joakim Elfving has been targeting this race day with the stable's star of the crop, 8 City Slicker (V85-6), who has been in the top of the crop since the beginning of his career.
City Slicker won both the Breeders' Crown and Svampen as a two-year-old last year and this year, as a three-year-old, has remained prominent in every start, including three victories.
His development is pointing straight upward – and there is more to come.
"He has only put in good races, and as it seems, he keeps getting better and better all the time. We have also never used any of the extra gears on him; we're saving that for the bigger races. The horse is doing really well and I think we have a good plan for him. As I said, we haven't changed anything with him yet, while the horses we have faced and lost to so far have already done so," says Joakim when we speak on Sunday evening.
Looked fantastic last time
Two starts ago, City Slicker was one of the horses in the E3 final over the middle distance.
That time, he came home with a third-place finish after eventually having to give way, among others, to the impressive winner Grosbois.
After a couple of weeks away from racing, he returned to the track last Monday, finishing second in a classy three-year-old race at Solvalla.
And even though City Slicker, who sat outside the leader with a lap to go, was beaten in the final strides by Willy Rapid, Elfving praised the performance.
"I was very pleased with him then, and it felt like that was the best race he has put in so far. I was happy with how he looked, how he handled the race; I thought the overall impression was really strong."
So you think that his form has taken a significant step forward with that race?
"Yes, there were six weeks in between starts, and it felt like he had taken at least two more steps forward from the previous E3 final. His whole style looked different, his posture and everything. He looked fantastic."
When we speak, the post draw has just taken place. He drew post eight, the outside post behind the gate, which is hardly advantageous, but the trainer has confidence in his horse.
"I haven't had much time to think about that yet, other than that we obviously didn't want that post. But there are only ten horses in the field, so it may be possible to find a position, and of course you always believe in this horse."
The Criterium is the biggest goal of the season, and the eliminations are six weeks away. Will there be another start before then?
"It could be. At the same time, I think he's in very good form right now, and there are six weeks between the E3 and the Criterium eliminations... maybe he doesn't need another start, but we'll see after Saturday."
Form – but hasn't gotten the results
Also sent out from the home stable in V85 on Saturday is 9 Pedal to d'Metal (V85-5).
The gelding has practically become synonymous with the national-level races in recent months, and this will be his eighth straight STL start.
After winning a Class 1 leg at Bollnäs in April, however, things have not gone his way on several occasions. Now the horse makes another attempt in the Bronze Division.
"He raced outside the leader last time, and I still think he hung on well until 100 meters from the finish. The horse is in good form but hasn't gotten much reward in these recent races; he is in good form. Now he got post nine over the short distance, and he should get a good trip from there, so we can hope for a little luck along the way. He has still shown that he can compete with the horses in the Bronze Division for some time now, and he holds his own in the class."
What about equipment and shoeing this time? Will he keep his shoes on?
"That's how he is entered, at least. He raced with "barefoot shoes" at Bergsåker a few starts ago, and I thought he raced well with them, so I don't think the difference will be that great anyway," says Joakim Elfving.