V86®: Hot chances for Bergh’s in-form stable – and an exciting new acquisition
Robert Bergh’s stable is on a roll — wins are coming thick and fast, and the recent success has brought in a wave of new horses and owners.
One of the newcomers, Swish The Cash, makes an intriguing debut for the Åby-based trainer in V86® on Wednesday.
“He’s a horse with good potential and a great attitude. I wasn’t completely satisfied with his qualifier, but he feels better now,” says Bergh, who also has four other strong contenders in the million-game, including one racing barefoot all around for the first time.
The V86® Xpress card is split between Åby and Solvalla, and at the Mölndal track, hometown trainer Robert Bergh will send out five horses, several of which are expected to be heavily backed. His stable has been red-hot in recent months, racking up numerous wins and strong earnings for owners. Just this past Saturday, he captured a V85® victory with M.T. Tomorrow’s Hope, who scored his second straight win since joining Bergh’s operation.
“Things are going really well! I already felt the horses were in great shape in June and July. Then they stepped up again in August, and the momentum has just continued. The success has attracted new horses and new owners to the stable, which is really fun,” says Robert Bergh.
“Barefoot all around for the first time”
On Wednesday, Bergh lines up five interesting starters at Åby, and none can be ruled out on paper. The most exciting might be Swish The Cash, the talented new addition making his first start under Bergh’s care. But before that, Bergh walks us through his entire V86 lineup, sharing valuable insight — including the first-ever barefoot-all-around try for Love To Know in the first leg.
“6 Love To Know (V86-1) has done really well and looked great in every start this year. He’s made big progress, but since he’s been racing in the lead every time and earned a lot quickly, I wanted to find a race where he could get a trip behind horses instead of going straight into V85. That’s why I chose this race. Now he’ll be barefoot all around for the first time — he’s only raced barefoot behind so far. Regular sulky again and possibly small blinds.”
“7 Rendezvous Zon (V86-1) raced really well in his first start for me last time. He got a tricky trip in that handicap but was good. Now he’s got a better post, and with that start in his legs, he must be considered. Barefoot all around again, regular sulky, and open bridle.”
“Good ability — I hope he blossoms”
The buzz horse Swish The Cash makes his much-anticipated debut for Bergh in the third leg. The talented millionaire has had one qualifier since joining the Bergh stable, trotting 1:14.4 over 2,140 meters — but the trainer wasn’t completely satisfied.
“5 Swish The Cash (V86-3) has got good ability and a great mindset. Now it’s about getting everything to click together, and we’re well on our way. I wasn’t thrilled with the qualifier, but he looks better now. It wasn’t that he was near a break — I just didn’t get the right feel at high speed. I train quite heavily at home, and some horses need time to adapt when going from training to race pace.”
“That said, the signs are positive now, and he’s a horse with real potential. I believe it’ll work and that he’ll put in a good performance — hopefully he starts showing what he can do. It’s time to start racing, and this distance suits him. He’ll go barefoot all around, with an open bridle and a regular style sulky.”
Can he win if he stays flat?
“Yes, absolutely.”
“He should be in the mix for the win”
The Åby trainer starts two more horses with good draws and strong form:
“4 Lion (V86-5) got locked in last time in a big race at Mantorp and felt just as good as before. He keeps improving with each start and has a good post and strong form. Conditions look good here — same balance and setup as before: barefoot behind and a regular style sulky.”
“1 Light In (V86-7) finished well last time — that was his best race from behind so far. Now he’s drawn the inside post, which is perfect, and he’s quick out of the gate. The short distance suits him well, too. Given the conditions, I think he’ll be in the mix for the win. Barefoot all around, blinkers, and a regular style sulky.”
Which of your horses do you think has the best chance in V86?
“It’s hard to single one out. All of them have been racing well, and those who needed good draws got them. There’s no negative sign on any of them — I don’t think any of my horses are without a chance,” says Robert Bergh.