V86: Önas Prince is back: "Everything is great"

The middle of March. It is when the good horses start coming out on the racetracks around the country. 

When V86 this Wednesday is co-hosted by Solvalla and Jägersro, the southernmost racetrack in the country gets a visit by one of the biggest stars in the sport. 

8 Önas Prince (V86-1) makes his seasonal debut. 

"Everything is great!" says Per Nordström regarding the status of the big star of his stable, and adds:

"The horse has not trained any faster heats. We have had a different training setup for him this year, and I haven't pushed him in training, but he comes well-prepared. He had double duties for a while; we collected his semen and froze it during February. It went well; he has felt good all along, and this is a good spot for him with a three-kilometer race."

The Wednesday race at home at Jägersro is Vårstayern. 

It is a race where Önas Prince starts with a 60-meter handicap, and the starting distance is 3,140 meters. This is the horse's first start over that distance. 

"Since he has trained so much and hasn't gone any faster heats, it fits him well. Had I chosen to race him in the Gold division right away, he might have to trot 1:09.5-1;10 in his first start back." 

"Indeed, it has. He feels sound and will race with an open bridle and shoes in his first start back. He doesn't need to go super speeds when it's a three-kilometer race, so we will keep the shoes on and save that gear for another race."

Not chasing an Elitlopp spot

Last year, Önas Prince won The Paralympic Trot and later made it to his third consecutive Elitlopp final, where he finished seventh. 

However, according to the trainer, it is not certain that the horse with SEK 14 million in earnings is aiming at a fourth start in Elitloppet. 

"We have a couple of scenarios drawn up for this year, but I will not chase an Elitlopp spot the way I have these last three years. He is eight years old now, and I think he will have another good year. first of all, we are aiming for the Paralympic Trot. As the defending champion, he is already invited, so that's his first big goal this year."

"Then we will see which path we choose. We can go to Norway; it was nice in Jarlsberg last year. It would also be fun to race him in Boden and come back home to Norrland, where I started my career. Norrbottens Stora Pris was tight after he raced in Elitloppet earlier."

"I'm not closing any doors, of course. If the horse feels fantastic, then maybe...We also have Hugo Åbergs Memorial here at home, which is another big goal for him; things haven't really worked out for him in that race."

Will be singled on many tickets

One race at a time, though. When Önas Prince makes his seasonal debut on Wednesday, he will be singled on many V86 tickets. 

Just as he should, according to Per. 

"Yes, you have to say that. He made three starts in December and it was sort of the same thing in his last start when I was almost ashamed that he lost to Stens Rubin. But I feel better after seeing the progress that horse has made with each start. So, maybe Önas Prince wasn't bad. It was Stens Rubin that was very good. However, if I was a bettor, I would have thought he had a good chance to win. This is a small field, too. Had it been a full field, it could have been tough to get around them all, but this feels like a good spot for him, and normally, he should be battling for the win."

"Peak Of Glory is a good horse. She feels fresh, and I have a feeling that she races best at home at Jägersro, so that's a plus this time. We also drew well with post one. I think we have a chance to win. Perfect raced well in her seasonal debut, last time out. She's a big-gaited mare and maybe she had to leave a bit too hard and got tired at the end, but that start should improve her form. She drew in the second tier, so we will race her from behind, and she could end up top three, maybe, says Per Nordström."