V85® (jackpot): Interesting seasonal debut for Tangerina – and Stenströmer has more chances
Finalist in both the Stochampionatet and the Derbystoet last year – now, the five-year-old Tangerina begins a new and exciting season.
The millionaire mare is not the only candidate from Ulf Stenströmer’s stable when V85® is contested at the home track Axevalla.
"We got a good post position, so of course we have to be a bit optimistic beforehand," says the trainer about one of his stablemates.
We turn our attention to the West Swedish plains as the final official winter month is rounded off with a jackpot round of V85® at Axevalla this Saturday.
Hometown trainer Ulf Stenströmer starts three horses in the pick 8, and already in the afternoon’s first division, an elimination in Diamantstoet, we find 6 Tangerina (V85-1) poised for an exciting new season.
The Perfect Spirit daughter, who was sixth in the Oaks as a three-year-old, emerged as something of a star of her crop when she reached the final of both the Stochampionatet and the Mare Derby last year, taking fifth prize in the latter.
"She has trained well ahead of her seasonal debut and feels fresh and fine at the moment. She has done some tougher workouts in the fine sand we have, and the horse has really looked very good, so we hope she can deliver a good performance straight away. Of course, it’s a seasonal debut, and she has to race with shoes on and so on, so it could be hit or miss even if we are clearly hoping for a hit…," Ulf begins when we call during Monday lunch.
She really showed good ability last year, but there were also some breaks?
"She has been a bit inconsistent, sometimes having trouble staying sound to race at that high level. But we have worked on that part and, as I said, the horse feels very sound and good now, she has stabilized and she will be good enough in this class when she only faces mares because she has a very good attitude toward her work."
Hoped for a better draw – but can take advantage of the post
Tangerina closed out last year by finishing fourth in just such a Diamantstoet elimination and a similar task now awaits on Saturday, in her first start in just over three months.
"Yes, it is quite difficult to find races for mares at all with that much money earned, so when this race is offered on home soil, we take that chance. We have to take what is offered, even though I know she is better when she can race barefoot behind, but we have to start somewhere and this felt suitable. Then I perhaps thought she would get a slightly better post position, actually, but on the other hand, she can take advantage of this draw in a good way."
So, how do you assess her chances on Saturday?
"‘Calle’ Jepson knows the horse well, and I think he will try to leave a bit from the start. She took the lead in an elimination to the Derbystoet from post eight behind the gate, among other things, so she is quick from the start. Then we’ll see, it’s up to the driver what kind of feeling he gets, and it’s hardly the last race the horse makes, we hope."
Victory in the seasonal debut – and had trot left
Seasoned in top-level tote competition is 7 Hugo Boss Shadow (V85-4).
After a layoff of exactly the same length as stablemate Tangerina, he also makes his seasonal debut this weekend. The gelding lines up behind the gate in a meeting between the Bronze and Silver divisions.
"He trains very well and has only felt good in training, then it’s a bit the same for him as for Tangerina; he is better when he can trot barefoot, but that’s not allowed on Saturday, as we know. Otherwise, the horse always does his best and has previously shown he has the ability to be competitive in most V85 contexts, so we just keep trying," says the trainer.
It turned out to be quite a tough field in this race, one might say?
"Sure, it is a bit of a debut against this type of horses now, and with him as well, we got a worse post position than we hoped, but I hardly think he will disgrace himself even if I have no expectations on him this time. If he earns good money, we will be satisfied. It is tough to ask for more, as it is still a seasonal debut."
The stable’s trio on V85 is completed by 2 Jula Redmile Champ (V85-5).
Unlike his two stablemates, the four-year-old has already made one appearance this year. It ended with an impressive wire-to-wire victory. Now a Class 2 start awaits from an attractive post position.
"He looked very good and even had some trot left at the finish. He was gelded during his break, and I think that has been good for this horse; he has felt nice afterwards. I’m going to train him ahead of Saturday a bit later, but there is nothing to complain about for his part, and with him we actually got a good draw… He is quick from the start and has also won over this distance before, so we are certainly not giving up beforehand."
Could Jula Redmile Champ be the stable’s best winning chance?
"Yes, you could say that after all. For the other two, it is about seasonal debuts, while Jula Redmile Champ already has that out of the way, and the others usually go barefoot, but this horse has always raced with shoes, plus we got a good post position, so of course we have to be a bit optimistic beforehand," summarizes Ulf Stenströmer.