V86®: Watch out for Waldmüller's four-year-olds
The Elitlopp horse A Fair Day proved too tough last time out in a three-lap race, but Markus Waldmüller did what he could to bring down the heavy favorite with his four-year-old Glorious Art.
“We’ve tried a few times, but there are very few who can beat that horse. Glorious Art can win on Wednesday, but I still consider another four-year-old of mine to be my best chance that evening,” says the Jägersro trainer ahead of Wednesday’s V86® at his home track.
Markus Waldmüller sends out two four-year-olds in the V86®, both owned by the ambitious Karin Walter-Mommert.
In Hästägarkannan (V86-7), 3 Glorious Art is one of the horses on the starting distance in a race where half the field must give a handicap start, with SEK 60,000 awaiting the winner.
Perhaps Waldmüller will once again find himself in the lead with his four-year-old, who in his most recent start tried to shake off the star A Fair Day from the front. That was in a leg of the Stayers Series in Kalmar, where the Elitlopp fourth-placer had 80 meters to make up—and managed it.
Markus Waldmüller:
"We had no chance, but I still kept a decent tempo and was happy with the horse finishing second. It was his first time over three kilometers, and he has clearly been good in his recent starts," says the trainer
Wednesday’s Hästägarkannan is raced over the middle distance, which suits the horse better.
Glorious Art has won four of his eight lifetime starts, along with one second place. This year, he had a break from January to July but has returned well. This winter, Waldmüller hopes the horse can work his way into some of the lower V75 classes.
"He’s a horse with good ability. Maybe not absolute top-class, but I still rate him quite highly and believe he can win. I think we have a good chance. We got a good draw. He’s rather laid-back, but he can also handle racing on the outside. So, the lead isn’t necessary. If things fall into place, I think we’ll be in the mix. No equipment changes."
Your other starter on Wednesday is 9 Fetisov (V86-1), also a four-year-old you have high hopes for. Fetisov started his career with three straight wins earlier this year and got some attention by the bettors in V75 (Class 3) at Jägersro in April.
"It was his first time in V75, and he finished seventh. I wasn’t satisfied, of course, but he had been off for two months, and maybe I had been a little careful with him. Yes, that start came too early. Fetisov had a training period after that, but I was still less than happy with his start in Halmstad this summer."
You had been expecting a bit more?
"We did find something small when we checked him after that race, and with some adjusted training, he feels good again now. I expect a strong performance right away. This should, I think, be my best chance. I’m happy with post nine, following a good horse. Then we’ll see about the pace and how we play it. It will be exciting to see how he performs. We’re making changes—he’ll race barefoot in front for the first time. Recently, he may have had it a bit too easy with an open bridle, so now we’re putting on a can't-see-back bridle, which he has won with before."
So, Glorious Art starts with a chance, but Fetisov is the sharper winning prospect?
"Yes, I rate him highly. If things go the way I hope, he’s my best chance on Wednesday. And I also hope Fetisov can become a V75 horse this winter."