V86 (jackpot): Sultan Sea in top form – but the inside post is not optimal
Most recently, he left his rivals several lengths behind.
That Sultan Sea is in top form is beyond doubt. Now another start on V86 awaits, along with the final of the Solvallaserien – however, the inside post behind the starting gate is not an ideal starting position.
"The horse races well regardless of the trip, but post one probably wasn't the dream draw either," says trainer Eric Martinsson ahead of this week's jackpot card.
There was no payout in the pool for six correct picks last Wednesday, which means a jackpot awaits this week on V86, with Solvalla and Åby sharing the card.
One horse bettors are likely to put a lot of faith in is 1 Sultan Sea (V86-4).
The gelding was away from racing for almost a year before making his debut for Axevalla-based trainer Eric Martinsson this spring. The seven-year-old has now put together a string of convincing performances.
"The horse came to us sometime toward the end of March. He previously suffered a couple of suspensory ligament injuries, but things have felt good in that respect, and the horse has performed well for us all along, so it feels like he has developed. He feels good and has trained well, so it's exciting now that there's a race with a lot of money on the line" says Eric.
He is, of course, referring to Wednesday's final of the Stall Courant Solvallaserien, with SEK 150,000 going to the winner.
Sultan Sea made a big impression on his most recent visit to Solvalla, winning the elimination. After taking the lead after 500 meters, the horse pulled several lengths clear of the field down the stretch.
"That was very good. We got the race the way we wanted it, and the horse won easily. He was good, but at the same time he did what we had hoped for. He's very effective when he gets to the lead, but he also raced very well first-over in Örebro and finished strongly from behind in Halmstad two starts ago. But that's the thing when you race from behind: you have to make up the ground in time."
Will probably be impossible to hold out
Sultan Sea drew the inside post behind the starting gate for Wednesday's start.
More often than not, it's an appealing position to start from, but Martinsson isn't entirely pleased with the draw.
"My horse races well regardless of the trip, but post one probably wasn't the dream draw either. The horse leaves okay, he does, but he's not lightning quick, and it will probably be difficult to hold Emilia's horse (3 Incomparable, editor's note) out. That one is extremely fast, so I'd say it will be impossible for us to hold up the lead. Instead, we'll have to try to find a way to get out, and with post one you usually get a good trip, too."
As long as things don't go too badly, he must still have a good chance, though?
"The horse is quite versatile and has plenty of strength, so he seems well suited to this race. If things work out a little, I absolutely don't think he's out of it. But as I said, the inside post can always be a bit of a trap, even though it's also a good position. Even if he gets an inside trip, things can work out, and he's certainly not lacking speed either, as he showed after a wide trip in Halmstad two starts ago."
First win should come soon
Stall Martinsson will also be represented at Åby.
The three-year-old filly 3 I Love Sensation (V86-1) lines up in the opening leg of the evening after finishing second at Färjestad.
"The performance was good. That was also what we expected, because to beat Mireya Wibb, who won, we needed a trip behind her. But when she got her chance, she still couldn't challenge her. The horse felt good, according to the driver, and we were pleased with the performance," says Eric.
She is still winless, but is it more a matter of circumstances that she hasn't managed to poke her nose in front?
"That's probably the case. At the same time, we've raced her a little more conservatively. She came to a stop in the lead once early in her career, and since then we've tried to race her from behind. When there has been an opportunity to go for the lead, she's made a break both times, both at Åmål. Two starts ago, she broke in the lead going into the first turn. We hope a win will come soon, and I believe it will within a reasonable time."
...could it happen as soon as this Wednesday?
"It's certainly possible, although you usually face good horses at Åby. Maybe she's at her best in the lead, but as I said, you have to choose which races to go for it in. We hope she gets a good trip, and if she does, she could be an outsider with a chance."