V86®: Hot chances for Christoffer Eriksson – "Those two are my best"
There is a jackpot on V86® Xpress, with SEK 13 million in the pool for eight correct picks.
Christoffer Eriksson has horses racing at both Jägersro and Solvalla and several strong chances on paper.
"I think all six of my horses are capable of winning. The best chances are Irene Mumm and La Liga Boy," says the Åby-based trainer.
Last year, Christoffer Eriksson had a record-breaking season, earning SEK 14 million and recording 120 wins. This year, it is not impossible that those numbers could be surpassed, and with three and a half months remaining, a new all-time high could very well be in the cards. At the time of writing, he has recorded 112 wins and earned SEK 11.6 million, and those figures are likely to increase further on Wednesday. V86® Xpress is split between Jägersro and Solvalla, and Christoffer Eriksson has a total of six horses starting at the two tracks. Four at Jägersro and two at Solvalla, and he will travel to Malmö himself, where he will drive all four horses, while Carl Johan Jepson will handle the drives at Solvalla.
"All the horses are good enough to win their respective races. Of course, winning six races on the same day is very difficult. But they are all good for their class and in good form," says Christoffer Eriksson before we go through the horses one by one.
"3 Pure Color (V86-1) got started a little late this year, but he is a nice horse who is good for his class. I think he has far too little money in the bank compared with his ability. We can only hope that things fall into place for him now, and he won easily most recently without having to go all out at the finish. He has a good post position here, and if he just gets away cleanly, he is fairly quick after a bit. The post is perfect, at least, and the horse is tough. Ideally, we would of course like to race in the lead. I think this is a Saturday horse competing in the wrong class. No changes, and normally he has a good chance," says Christoffer Eriksson.
"2 Oracle Vixi (V86-3) was under heavy pressure in the lead all the way most recently. The opening lap was covered in 1:10, as was the first 1,500 meters, so it was hardly surprising that he got tired. He handled that race well and has felt good afterward, so I am pleased with him. This is the first time he will race over the short distance for me, but it feels like an advantage. He is quick out of the gate, and it is a small field, so we will see how we set up the tactics. If he could go wire to wire? Yes, that is not impossible. No changes."
"Flew down the stretch most recently"
"9 Grodda Jet (V86-4) was locked in with plenty left most recently. She has had some tough trips several times, so it may also be good for her to finish that way. She is a mare who has performed well consistently and had two straight wins before her most recent start. Now she has a second-tier post, but that does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. If things work out from post nine, I almost think she is at her best coming from behind. She feels good, and there will be no changes."
"3 Irene Mumm (V86-5) finished with the third-fastest closing speed of all horses during the entire Derby day most recently and flew down the stretch. That was incredibly impressive for a three-year-old filly. She had a poor post and was far back, so it was impossible to reach the leaders. She is in a good phase right now and is very good for her class. She has won three races this year, and I think she is due for another win now, especially since she also got such a good post. She is a nice horse, and I think she is one of my best chances on Wednesday. No changes."
"Brilliant performance in the Derby"
"9 Swept Away S. (V86-6) got off to a good start with two straight wins this summer and has since finished third three times. But the horse has continued to perform just as well and has finished strongly every time. She has been far back in the field from poor posts, and most recently she closed in 1:11 for the final lap at Åby behind two excellent horses. Before that start, she had a short break and should only improve. She feels good, and I think she will put in another good performance. No changes."
"11 La Liga Boy (V86-7) lost 100 meters when he broke stride in the Danish Derby most recently and put in a brilliant performance after the break. The track at Charlottenlund was very poor after all the rain. He also performed well in his Derby elimination, finishing second after racing first-over. We were never able to get the pull down bridle to work on him that time, either. He is in a good phase now, and he is a strong, tough horse who benefits from the long distance. No changes, and I think he is one of my best chances. He could just as easily have had another million in earnings," says Christoffer Eriksson.