V86®: Cruiser returns – "She's an exceptionally good horse"
She was defeated as the favorite during Elitloppet weekend and has, after that, had throat surgey.
Now, as a leg of the Breeders Crown series is a part of Wednesday's V86® at Mantorp, the Untersteiner stable's outstanding three-year-old Cruiser is back.
"We're taking it one step at a time with her, but she's an exceptionally good horse," says Peter Untersteiner, who has a host of strong chances on the race card.
Attention turns to Mantorp for this Wednesday's V86®.
Peter Untersteiner is also heading there. The consistently in-form powerhouse stable has five strong contenders on the card as the evening features several high-class Breeders Crown divisions.
Peter himself will handle the driving duties throughout the evening.
"Yes, Johan is on vacation, so now I get the opportunity. Hopefully it'll go well, otherwise we'll have to change drivers next time..." he jokes when we call to discuss the stable's quintet.
The horse both the stable and bettors are especially eager to see is 3 Cruiser (V86-2).
The daughter of Calgary Games, who was named Sweden's Two-Year-Old of the Year after setting a Swedish record and going undefeated through her freshman season, has displayed exceptional talent.
However, in her most recent start, the Breeders Course Final during the Elitloppet weekend, she suffered the first defeat of her career.
"She wasn't good at all at Solvalla last time. She got tired, and it turned out she had a problem with her soft palate, so we had surgery right away. It healed very quickly and very well, so she's had a solid month of training and has felt great in her workout at the track. That's when we decided to enter her again," says Peter.
So everything is back to normal with Cruiser?
"We'll know for sure once we ask her for everything in a race, but right now she feels great, and in that workout she looked like herself again. We're optimistic. We'll take it one step at a time, but she's an exceptionally good horse, and she's already shown that. Hopefully she'll get back to where she was, especially now that we've found a good explanation for her last performance."
Even though it's been a while since her last start, you have to believe she's got a strong chance right away?
"Yes, she's a very good horse, we know that, and she's had plenty of training leading up to this."
Second-tier post an advantage
In the opening leg of V86, a Class III leg, Untersteiner sends out four-year-old 9 Global Giant (V86-1).
A horse who has shown plenty of ability but has also had a tendency to make breaks. Lately, however, everything has gone smoothly, and the gelding comes from an impressive victory.
"He's stayed flat three starts in a row now. He's always been a very nervous horse, not the most reliable, but knock on wood, he's done really well from the second tier lately. So I was happy to see that draw again. I was also a little impressed by him last time. He finished with a very strong final lap. Of course he's facing tougher horses now, I'm aware of that, but he's a horse that's developing and relies on his strength."
So you actually see the draw as an advantage?
"Yes, actually. At least for now, because he settles down much better behind horses, so I'm happy with the post position."
Hand driven last time
The third leg of the V86 is another Breeders Crown divison.
This one is for three-year-old colts and geldings. Untersteiner has two starters in the race. From the inside post is 1 Gauthier (V86-3), who has opened his career with three wins from four starts.
"He looks like a really classy horse. Johan was very pleased with him last time. They only won by about a length, but he just hand drove him with plenty left. He's a very solid type. I don't think he'll be able to hold the lead from the rail here, though. We wouldn't have chosen this draw if we'd had the choice. He's not a horse you can just send out of the gate, if you know what I mean. That will probably come with time, but I don't think we'll hold up the lead. Still, things can work out anyway," says Peter before adding:
"He's German-bred, so their stake races are the main targets, but he's also eligible for the Breeders Crown, so he can race here when the schedule works out."
Stablemate 12 Crew Lane (V86-3) has posted a very similar record so far in his career, but starts from a completely different post position.
"Crew Lane is another terrific three-year-old, and he looked very good winning during the Sprint Champion weekend. He's trained well after that too, but the draw obviously makes things difficult. Still, we have two really nice three-year-olds in the race, and I think the trip will decide a lot."
We are used to seeing plenty of wins in the past performances from the Untersteiner stable.
Four-year-old 2 Preposterous (V86-7) had won four straight before being defeated frm the lead in a fast paced race, last time out. Now she takes aim at the Breeders Crown.
"She has some issues with her gait, but she always tries hard. I thought she hung in well at Axevalla last time. It was a pretty fast first kilometer with a very aggressive horse on the outside. She always races well, but she's in an open class now, so the competition will be tougher. Everything has felt normal in training after that start, and we got a good draw as well."
She's one of several good chances your stable has on Wednesday?
"I haven't analyzed the races in detail yet, but we're bringing five very nice horses. Sure, Cruiser is still a bit of a question mark, but at least we've found an explanation," Peter Untersteiner concludes.