V86® Superdays (multi jackpot): "This is going to be fast"
A sharp French mare with plenty of speed
"Javerne is a terrific trotter," says Per Nordström ahead of Wednesday’s start in V86® SuperDays.
V86® SuperDays comes to a close this week with a multi-jackpot of SEK 26 million in the pool, according to ATG. The card is split between Solvalla and Jägersro.
Per Nordström has made his name above all as a trainer of young horses, consistently producing new talents. On Sunday, he qualified two horses for the Swedish Criterium, Wise Guy and Ghirardelli. Alongside his success with youngsters, he is also receiving more established racehorses into training. On Wednesday, 4 Javerne (V86-5) makes her first start for the Jägersro-based trainer. The mare has competed successfully in both Switzerland and France.
"The owners are a Swiss couple, and they have several horses with me. Their best horse was Uza Josselyn, who earned well over SEK 13 million and won several major races in Europe," says Per Nordström.
Do you know much about her past racing?
"I’ve seen a few races and she’s not really a horse for the tough French tracks, even though she has raced well there several times. She’s a bit of a runaway and struggles to stay calm, and lately she’s lost interest in racing there."
How does she feel in training?
"She feels good, and she can definitely trot. I don’t want to sharpen her up; she does that well enough herself. She’s a real trotter and very quick."
Any thoughts on tactics?
"With almost every horse, you have a plan, but with Javerne, it’s more a case of just sitting along for the ride. She’s extremely fast out of the gate and difficult to rate. It’s going to be fast, and I’ll probably just be a passenger."
How do you rate her winning chances?
"She’s hard to handicap and should be seen as an outsider. Horses that have raced in France often enjoy coming to our tracks here in Sweden, and hopefully Javerne will too. It will be quick, that much I can say, and then we’ll see how far it takes her. We’ve got everything to gain, and the plan is for her to race a bit and then be bred in the spring."
Better than the record suggests
Team Nordström sends out two more starters on the card, both in the opening leg.
I think Agarita deserves respect — her form doesn’t show in the record, and bettors should keep that in mind.
"1 Bopperstreetgirl (V86-1) put in a strong performance last time, well under the radar. She’s developing slowly but steadily; it just takes a little longer for her. The post is good even if she can’t really take advantage of it, but she’ll get a nice trip. She might not be the hottest win candidate, but a top-three finish is within reach. No changes."
"4 Agarita (V86-1) I’m happy with, and she’s better than the record shows. I’ve matched her in tough races, and she’s had a hard time being competitive to win. Last time things went a bit wrong, but I was very pleased with her effort. She’s training well and facing somewhat easier rivals than earlier this year."
"Agarita is quick out of the gate, and I’ll try to reach the lead. Either way, I think she should be respected and is a win candidate. She’ll race with hind shoes now — she needs a good grip, which I see as a positive. Otherwise, no changes."
Finally, how is Önas Prince doing?
"He’s good. He’s in training without being sharpened up in any way. His last start was in the Paralympiatravet, and I wasn’t completely happy with him. I also don’t think he’s shown the form I was hoping for. I’m very careful with him and don’t want to start him just for the sake of it. He won’t race again this year."
"Önas Prince will make a few starts next year before moving on to full-time stud duty."