V86®: Persson believs in Baron Tilly – but warns for a couple minor things
Baron Tilly has faced some of the best in the world in his two most recent starts.
Second in Harper Hanover's Race and then an unexpected break behind the gate in the Oslo Grand Prix just over a week ago.
On Wednesday, it is time for the Smålandsstayern over three kilometers at Vaggeryd V86®.
"Both Calle and I were very pleased with the horse in Norway – we take the break with us as a learning experience," says trainer David Persson.
On Wednesday it is time for the summer specialty Smålandsstayern at Vaggeryd, where much of the pre-race discussion centers around 13 Baron Tilly (V86-4) in the three-kilometer event and how Carl Johan Jepson will approach the race from the 60-meter handicap.
After the eye-catching return in Karlstad in mid-May (in 1:09.6), both driver and trainer mentioned the Elitlopp (!) as a possible next target for the six-year-old.
Instead, the connections chose to race in the Harper Hanover's Race where Baron Tilly was sensational in finishing second.
The summer of major races 2026 was laid out ahead. The Axevalla-based horse earned his spot in the Oslo Grand Prix. A start that ended with a break directly at the start and gave the trainer something to think about.
David Persson mostly sees positive things to take from it.
"It's never possible to answer with complete certainty what happened, of course, but the horse surprised us by completely following the gate! When the gate pulled away he followed in a way he had never done before. He has not really understood starting behind the and has never trotted at those kinds of speeds before," he says.
Baron Tilly interferred with himself and broke stride and ended up being disqualified.
"He was very good both before and after the race. Calle was very pleased when he came off the track and we only see this as something positive for the future really, that he woke up in this way," says David.
Shoes on and a tougher handicap
In Smålandsstayern (V86-4) the horse, who will be the heavy favorite, starts from a 60-meter handicap. His performance in Harper Hanover's Race is more than enough against Wednesday's opposition.
Persson believes in a good chance but points out that the conditions favor Daniel Redén's 12 Call Me Gleipner, who starts 20 meters ahead this time compared with Solvalla.
"He is now handicapped 20 meters worse compared to the Harper Hanover's and in addition he will race with hind shoes this time. I don't think it will be a problem. But these are minor things bettors should keep in mind," he says.
Bigger targets await later this summer where racing barefoot may fit better. In Wednesday's race the Baron will save his hind hooves.
"We talked after Oslo that we wanted to get another race into him fairly quickly because of how things turned out. Then we chose this race in Vaggeryd because he is strong, good and solid and handles long races. Then we will see what happens. But of course we may be looking a little more toward the longer races this summer. It would be fun if we have him in form so he can compete in Åby Stora Pris and the Swedish Championship for example."
But things are reasonably problem free and there is a good feeling ahead of the race at Vaggeryd?
"Of course we have to believe in a good chance. But considering how good a horse we have, this is not the most important race either. Calle will not kill him if they end up in a situation where we have to use him too hard. In any case he will come in with very good form, that is the feeling," says David Persson.
You are bringing two more horses. In the four-year-old race (V86-1), 3 Öje Tim and 9 Greenday I.T. start. Öje delivered a very strong performance in his most recent start and won decisively after Jepson drove to the lead from second tier.
"He got way too fresh early and Calle had to send him forward. Someone timed him trotting in 1:12 for the final 1,600 meters and that is very good considering he burned some energy early. Another long-distance race suits him of course. This is a horse developing rapidly and it will be exciting to see what he does on Wednesday. Öje has had some trouble keeping his mind and legs under control, but this is a horse on the rise. We understood that something very good would come out of him. He actually put in several very good performances before that too. The plan is not to change anything but I have to leave all equipment decisions open until closer to race time. There are a number of good horses in the field but I absolutely think he should be considered a winning candidate."
What are your thoughts about Greenday I.T. who will be driven by Victor Rosleff?
"That is also a horse on the rise. In fact, he may be one I rate higher than Öje Tim. It is probably pretty much fifty-fifty between them, but considering the conditions this time it looks better for Öje. Greenday was really good in his most recent start. However, there is a risk that he loses ground early because he is still very long-striding and a little tricky. He will end up in the back and then make a good move in the second half of the race. We will see how far that takes him, it is a bit of a tough assignment. We continue with the same equipment setup," concludes the Axevalla trainer.