V86®: “I think he can trot 1:11 on the outside”
A blazing finish last time out signals top form.
On Wednesday, Cool Trix gets the chance for quick redemption.
“He must have a good chance,” says suspended driver Ove A. Lindqvist ahead of the V86® start.
There’s nothing like the anticipation of something new. On Saturday, ATG’s new betting format V85® makes its debut, but before that, players get one last taste of V86®, split between Boden and Solvalla.
Making the trip to Boden are Ove A. Lindqvist and his partner Ann-Catrin Frisk, along with the stable’s flagship trotter Cool Trix, who will start in the opening leg.
“I actually thought we could win last time despite the poor post, but things got too messy. The finish was magnificent,” says Lindqvist, who is currently suspended and will hand the reins to Ulf Ohlsson.
“He’s driven and won with Cool Trix before, and Ohlsson always does his homework.”
Cool Trix has been in Ann-Catrin Frisk’s care for about a year. The horse was purchased from a Norwegian owner who decided to sell part of his stable. Previously trained by champion trainer Frode Hamre, Cool Trix came with outstanding credentials: 28 wins in 39 starts and over SEK 1.1 million in earnings, with victories in both the Bronze and Silver Divisions in Norway.
“We probably can’t improve the horse much — Hamre is an exceptionally skilled trainer. For us, the goal is to keep him sound and racing regularly. That’s how he’ll continue to develop and climb the ranks. I believe Cool Trix can reach the Gold Division eventually — and hopefully perform well there too.”
Wrong shoeing
Cool Trix began the year strongly but started making breaks during the spring and had to re-qualify.
“I’ve been a bit stubborn and over-adjusted his shoeing. He’s probably left SEK 500,000 on the table due to breaks. Now I’ve made a small correction that’s worked really well, and I think I’ve found the right setup.”
What did you think of his finish down the home stretch, last time?
“It was great, no doubt about it. I had a good feeling despite drawing post eight. We were unlucky at the start when Night Art made a break in front of us. We could’ve gotten a spot third over, but instead had to drop to last. About 700 meters from the finish, there was more trouble — horses in the way — so I had to swing wide in the final turn, and I had to ease him around the turn. But in the stretch, he went extremely fast, and I was very pleased with him.”
What's your take on Wednesday’s race?
“It’s a good race. We’re up against Combat Fighter, who’s Finland’s best horse at the moment. He’s very quick out of the gate and has a perfect post — that’s the horse we have to beat.”
Have you given up?
“Oh no, absolutely not. Cool Trix isn’t fast enough from the start to challenge Combat Fighter, and as I read the race, there’s a risk we’ll end up outside the leader. I hope the driver behind President Lindy really sends out of the gate — he’s lightning quick, too. Even if Cool Trix ends up without cover, I’m not giving up. I think he can trot around 1:11, and he’s certainly no worse than anyone in this race.”
Any equipment changes?
“No, it’ll be shoes all around, an American sulky, and a Norwegian headpole. If we’d had a better draw and been inside Combat Fighter, I’d have gone with a closed bridle. There will be other races and better opportunities for that.”
You’re also racing 6 Seven Mounds (V5–4), who looks to be quite a talent, right?
“Yes, he’s no ordinary horse — a bit special. He’s had some soundness issues and is now six years old. There’s still a lot left for him to accomplish on the track. I’m taking some weight off of him for this race. I don’t know much about the competition, but he’s a good horse for this class and should be in the mix.”