V86: Looking to find his form for the Prix d'Amérique
Immortal Doc finished sixth in this year's Prix d'Amérique, with a taste for more.
Now the six-time millionaire is once again being prepared for the world's toughest trotting race.
"We're aiming for it, but he's not in form yet," says Fredrik Wallin ahead of Wednesday's start on V86.
The French winter meet is underway, and many Swedish trainers are choosing to try their luck in the lucrative races.
Fredrik Wallin has enjoyed great success over the years and is gearing up for more.
"I'm planning on having a few horses in France this year as well. It's tough down there, and I know what's required. Hopefully, things will continue to go well," says Fredrik Wallin.
Immortal Doc started in this year's Prix d'Amérique and produced a tremendous finish to place sixth, showing throughout the winter that he can compete with the best French horses.
"Even so, he couldn't keep his gait together around the final turn in the Prix d'Amérique, but he found his stride in the stretch and finished strongly. He's a lovely horse with a fantastic attitude."
With just under three months to go until the big winter showdown, a new journey toward the Prix d'Amérique is beginning for Immortal Doc.
On Wednesday, 6 Immortal Doc (V86-4) returns in the Triton Sund Race at Solvalla. V86 is split between Solvalla and Åby, and Wallin has horses racing at both tracks.
"I'll be at Solvalla. Of course, it will be exciting for me to see Immortal Doc. He's not in particularly good form yet. We need to move forward, and you can't just keep training and expect to find form that way. He's well prepared and has had a couple of solid faster workouts, but as I said, he's still a long way from his best form."
What kind of performance are you expecting?
"He's not particularly quick out of the gate and will probably end up somewhere in the middle of the field. I hope he can finish well, and the most important thing for me is that he looks good and that we're heading in the right direction. A horse like Immortal Doc is never without a chance, but I'd be just as pleased if he finished strongly down the stretch for third or fourth. He'll race with shoes all around."
First time barefoot all around
The Gävle-based trainer also has a horse starting at Åby. Three-year-old 6 Pure Mikalona (V86-3) raced frequently as a two-year-old, but has had a quieter year and has made just one start so far.
"There hasn't been anything seriously wrong with her, but she simply hasn't felt quite ready to race. We hope to make up for some lost time going forward. I was pleased with her first start back. She got an inside trip and finished with plenty of trot. That was beneficial for her, and I think she'll improve quite a bit from having that race in her legs. She's felt good in training since then and will race barefoot all around for the first time."
How should bettors approach her?
"I thought it was a handicap race, and the post position turned out to be a little too far out. The positive thing is that she only faces fillies her own age. I don't know the opponents particularly well, but I think Pure Mikalona will put in a good performance."
Really good in his final workout
On the west coast, 14 Maverick (V86-7) will also start in the classic S:t Leger, which is raced over just over three laps.
"The long distance is no problem for him. Most recently, he competed in a Derby elimination, and after that he had a visit to the veterinarian. He's trained well since then, and I was very pleased with him in his final workout. I have a good feeling about him, and it may be that Maverick is the horse with the best chance of winning of my three on this V86 card."