V86®: Gidlund with two chances
Patrik Gidlund travels to Bergsåker with a duo in strong form.
"The bettors should probably include both on their tickets," says the trainer ahead of Wednesday’s start on V86®.
A barefoot ban is in effect in Swedish harness racing from December through March. During Solvalla and Bergsåker’s V86® races on Wednesday, all horses must race with shoes.
The year is nearing its end, and the successful amateur duo Patrik and Sara Gidlund can look back on a very successful year. In 22 starts, the stable’s two racehorses have won 10 races, a winning percentage of 45, and earned over SEK 800,000.
"Those percentages you’d like to have every year. Sure, it has gone incredibly well, and it’s simply that the horses are good; they’re the ones who trot. We’ve done this for 30 years and train pretty much as usual. Then we try to be careful not to race too often. We’ve avoided infections and injuries, and that is also a contributing factor," says Patrik Gidlund.
"We have two racehorses, and both Viking Lane and Bilbao Ace have been good all year and continue to develop. Now we travel to Bergsåker on Wednesday with both of them, and we have hopes for both."
"11 Viking Lane (V86-1) is the one I believe in the most. He raced last time on V85 and ended up in a bad spot and couldn’t do much from where he was, and the performance was fully acceptable even if the result doesn’t say much."
How does he feel in training?
"Good, he feels the way he should. Now there are a few weeks between starts, and he likes that. He recharges on his own, and the timing is good."
Two starts ago, he broke in the volt start, which it is again – does that worry you?
"No, that’s nothing I’m going to lose sleep over. The break was because the driver didn’t really know the horse, and Viking Lane was annoyed at the overcheck. We had an automatic overcheck on him, and we won’t have that this time."
How does he handle racing with shoes?
"It was the first time we pulled the shoes on him last time. We wanted to try it to see if it worked, mainly ahead of next year, and we got the answer we were looking for. He’s used to racing with shoes, and I think he’s more favored than most in the field when racing with shoes. I see that as an advantage."
How do you assess his winning chance?
"Good, he’s used to racing against this type of opponent, and he has shown he fits well. If nothing unforeseen happens, he should have a good chance."
Wants the lead
3 Bilbao Ace (V86-5) won a V85® race for mares last time after leading from start to finish. Now she faces horses and geldings.
"She has really found her stride with us and keeps developing all the time. She won confidently last time, and she has shown she’s very effective in the lead."
How does she come out of her starts?
"Good, she feels the way she should and keeps her top form."
Since she’s best in the lead, the tactics are obvious?
"Yes, plan A is to go for the lead, and if she gets there, she will be raced there. Now she has earned money quickly and faces better and better opponents. I’m not entirely sure how fast the others can leave — regardless, it will be full speed from the start."
She usually races barefoot in front. Is she disadvantaged much by shoes?
"I don’t think it will be a major problem. She probably won’t be as quick from the start, but it’s the same for everyone. She usually races with a pull-down bridle, but now she will have a can’t-see-back to make her sharper."
How highly should the bettors rank her?
"It’s hard for me to assess Bilbao Ace’s chances. She’s facing tougher horses than usual, but she is good herself, and as long as she keeps winning, I have to believe in her — especially if she reaches the lead."