V86®: Veteran Phoenix Photo returns after a short break
Trainer Svante Ericsson is back in the sulky himself this Wednesday, teaming up with his star horse Phoenix Photo in the Bergslagsloppet.
“I haven’t driven him in a race for a long time, so I’m really looking forward to getting a feel for the horse again,” says Ericsson.
The STL Summer Tour reaches Fornaboda Racetrack this Wednesday.The scenic summer track is considered by many to be the most idyllic in Sweden, and when this week’s V86 is held at the Lindesberg oval, it’s a summer trot fest.
The highlight of the evening is the Bergslagsloppet, a race for the top class.
There, the crowd will be reunited with 11-year-old veteran 7 Phoenix Photo (V86-7).The gelding with almost SEK 5 million in earnings has made four starts so far this year, but hasn’t been seen on the racetracks since gunning to the lead in Guldbjörken at Umåker in early May, where he eventually faded to finish fifth.
The highlight of the evening is the Bergslagsloppet, a race for the top class.
There, the crowd will be reunited with 11-year-old veteran 7 Phoenix Photo (V86-7).The gelding with almost SEK 5 million in earnings has made four starts so far this year, but hasn’t been seen on the racetracks since gunning to the lead in Guldbjörken at Umåker in early May, where he eventually faded to finish fifth.
“Yes, that was a hell of a long drive home,” jokes trainer Svante Ericsson when we reach him. He continues:
“Well, it was a fast start, but he should have kept his gait together better. He had some issues in the final turn, got rough-gaited, and couldn’t finish strong. He’s been treated since then, and now we’ll give it another try. He’s getting older too, so I’ll probably drive a bit more conservatively early on to save his speed for the finish. The most important thing is that the horse feels healthy and fresh.”
He’s known for being quick out of the gate, but you won't leave this time?
“Well, we’ve left with him in every time recently, so maybe now it’s time to save a bit at the start.”
“Well, it was a fast start, but he should have kept his gait together better. He had some issues in the final turn, got rough-gaited, and couldn’t finish strong. He’s been treated since then, and now we’ll give it another try. He’s getting older too, so I’ll probably drive a bit more conservatively early on to save his speed for the finish. The most important thing is that the horse feels healthy and fresh.”
He’s known for being quick out of the gate, but you won't leave this time?
“Well, we’ve left with him in every time recently, so maybe now it’s time to save a bit at the start.”
Drives himself — for the first time in two years
It’s rare to see Svante driving Phoenix Photo in a race.In fact, it’s been over two years since it last happened. But on Wednesday, it’s happening again. Svante wants to feel himself how the horse is doing.
“Yes, I haven’t driven him in a race in a long time, so it’ll be fun to get a feel for him again. I hope it’ll be a positive experience.”
“Yes, I haven’t driven him in a race in a long time, so it’ll be fun to get a feel for him again. I hope it’ll be a positive experience.”
Even after a break of over two months from racing, can we really count him out?
“No, it’s not a particularly deep race. Sure, there are some good horses in there, and if Phoenix Photo isn’t in top form and I don't really know what he's ready for, others are in more proven form. But we’ll keep racing him in these races, he pretty much has Gold division races every week, and there’s not much else to choose from,” says Svante, and adds:
“Phoenix will be racing with front shoes now, but to be honest, I almost think he’s been better with shoes than barefoot all around; he trots better that way.”
Two contenders from the Svedberg stable
Phoenix Photo is currently the only horse on Svante Ericsson’s training list.Since the start of the year, he has instead been based at his friend, the Sundbyholm-licensed trainer Markus B Svedberg’s stable.
On Svedberg’s training list, there are significantly more horses. Two of them are racing on the V86 card, and of course, Svante knows them well.
On Svedberg’s training list, there are significantly more horses. Two of them are racing on the V86 card, and of course, Svante knows them well.
Four-year-old 2 Lupin Mearas (V86-1) has been showing great form lately, finishing second last time out after leading most of the way.“He got a bit too aggressive in the lead last time but still raced OK to finish second. He’s definitely at his best when he's up front, and from this post, you can’t count him out, he’s a contender.”
He looked pretty fired up in the start prior too, when he won in Bollnäs.
“Yes, he tends get like that, but he’s most effective when he can set his own pace in front. I think that suits him better than getting a trip behind others. That’s kind of his racing style, to go in the lead and try to hold them off, and he can definitely do that here too, he’s a very good horse for this class.”
Feels like a top horse – still a lot to show on the racetrack
According to Svante, the stable’s best chance comes in the Class 2 leg.Five-year-old 2 Freeloader (V86-6), after a long layoff, has made four starts this year and comes into this race with two straight wins. His last performance was mighty impressive.“He’s been very good in his recent starts. That was a strong effort last time out, and he’s been training great since. Unlike Lupin Mearas, he’s best when he gets to follow others. He won from the lead in Gävle two starts ago, but he just held on. I haven’t talked to Markus about tactics yet, but he’s a very strong closer. He’s in the two-path right away and should get a good trip.”
Freeloader was out all last year with a suspensory injury but seems to be back on track now?
“Yes, he seems to have stabilized. I think he feels like a top horse, but injuries like that can be setbacks for most horses. Still, he hasn’t had many starts yet, and as I said, he seems to have stabilized now, so hopefully, he still has a lot to show on the racetrack. I think he’s our best chance on the card.”
Freeloader was out all last year with a suspensory injury but seems to be back on track now?
“Yes, he seems to have stabilized. I think he feels like a top horse, but injuries like that can be setbacks for most horses. Still, he hasn’t had many starts yet, and as I said, he seems to have stabilized now, so hopefully, he still has a lot to show on the racetrack. I think he’s our best chance on the card.”