V85® (Maundy Thursday): Olofsson kicks off Spring Days with a duo in good form
Spring Race with V85® four days in a row begins in Gävle on Maundy Thursday.
Boden trainer Hanna Olofsson sends down two horses in full form.
"Both feel very good in training and will put in good performances," she says.
ATG’s Spring Race initiative is back with V85® four days in a row during Easter week. Sunday (Easter Day) is final day with a Multi Jackpot and a regular card at Romme. Gävletravet opens the trotting cavalcade with evening racing on Maundy Thursday.
Hanna Olofsson has started this year in the same way she usually does, winning every fifth race and already close to SEK 1 million in earnings.
"I’m satisfied so far and what really feels good is that we’re maintaining a consistent and solid form all the time," says Hanna Olofsson.
The stable includes both young and older horses, and one that has already attracted quite a bit of attention is the three-year-old Torgny, who is unbeaten after three starts.
– "He is a very nice horse and easy to like. What stands out the most about him is how very intelligent he is. He starts on Monday in Skellefteå and then the plan is for him to start in the Margareta Series on May 15. The main goal is the Kriterium this fall, but we hope to have some fun before that as well.
Barefoot will have a strong effect
On Thursday, Hanna sends two horses down to Gävle, a journey of nearly 800 kilometers one way.
"The horses travel on Wednesday and stay overnight in Umeå. They’ll go out in the paddock on Thursday morning before heading to Gävle. It’s no problem, they’re used to traveling."
The main reason for the long trip is 3 Jimmy Adore (V85-5), who has a suitable race.
"He has a good race condition and we’ve also got a very good driver. Jimmy Adore wasn’t at his best two starts ago and we chose to go over him, and he also got treated. Jenny Engfors, who drove the following start, chose to sit when others made their moves and the horse never got a chance and finished completely unused. That’s something we have in hand this time, and the horse has felt very good after that last start and in training as well."
Is he fast from the start?
"He can leave fairly quickly, I don’t know how fast the others are. The driver can try to push off and then we’ll see what happens, but Jimmy Adore should get a good position at least."
Are you making any changes?
"He will race barefoot all around for the first time in a long while. He has been racing with pads and corks this winter and in my experience it usually gives a good effect when you’ve waited this long between times."
Jimmy Adore looks like the likey favorite, is that right?
"That’s up to the bettors. I think the horse is good and has a suitable race on paper. I believe he will deliver a good performance and be in the mix ofr the win."
Late bloomer
10 Pommac W.F. (V85-4) doesn’t have quite the same chance, but he’s not just along for the trip.
"I see him as an outsider. Two starts ago he was poor and didn’t trot, and that has been a recurring issue during his career. He visited the vet after that start and was really good when he won last time, trotted well and was willing. He is six years old, but I think he is still developing, a bit of a late bloomer. I think he has earned a bit too little money in relation to his ability."
How has he come out of that race?
"Well, he feels good and will improve quite a bit with that race in his legs. I had only trained him lightly before and he will be in top form on Thursday."
Long distance, how does he handle that?
"It’s an advantage. He often loses ground at the start because he’s a bit shy during the first lap. Last time he left better and I hope he does that again and gets into the race right away. He is tough and strong and shouldn’t be completely overlooked."