V75® (Saturday): San Moteur going for gold in the Swedish Championship — "Looks magical"
Barefoot all around did not work out in Åby World Grand Prix and the horse became foot sore at the end of the race.
Last time out, San Moteur returned to the winner's circle when he won impressively.
He now goes out in the Swedish Championships at Åby, before aiming for France and Prix d'Amerique this winter.
"He won in 1:11 in his last start, had plenty left, and looked magical. The long distance is an advantage and I think he's better with shoes," says Håkan Arvidsson.
Åby is hosting a trot fest on Saturday with the Swedish championships in different categories. In the biggest race of them all, the Swedish Championship, SEK 500,000 awaits the winner. A star-studded field where 7 San Moteur (V75-7) is one of the main characters. The horse trained by Björn Goop and Håkan Arvidsson has earnings of SEK 13.3 million. He has a winning percentage of 70 and a show percentage of 80. Going into the Åby World Grand Prix, the owner was optimistic. He said that San Moteur felt fantastic and was ready for the best race of his career. Instead, he finished fourth after falling apart down the stretch and almost making a break. Björn Goop held him together to finish fourth and the connections were afraid that something serious had happened. Luckily, it had not.
"We raced him barefoot and it didn't work out. He got foot sore. He was fine until the last 200 meters and it definitely cost us the second place behind Horsy Dream. He stayed trotting and came in fourth, at least. We went over the horse after the race and found nothing else than sore feet. That's what bothered him and it's on us. We screwed up," says Håkan Arvidsson.
"Was pulling across the finish line with plenty left"
Last time out, San Moteur was fit for fight again and returned to the winner's circle. He won Hallandsmästaren at Halmstad, easily in 1:11.3/2,140 meters. After that start, the aim was set at the Swedish Championships.
"He looked magical when he won in 1:11 in his last start. He pulled throughout the race and was trotting at 1:01 speed around the last turn when Björn made his move. He won with a good hold of the bit and plenty left in the tank," says Håkan.
"I trained him last Friday and he felt great. He feels at least as good now as before his most recent starts. He was in top form both at the Åby start and last time out in Halmstad and he won't be any worse now with more training and four starts in his legs".
"I think he is better with shoes"
San Moteur and Björn Goop drew post position seven behind the gate in the Swedish Championships. Håkan Arvidsson is not worried about that, but the horse will race with shoes this time.
"Since it was a bit of a miscalculation the last time he raced at Åby, he will race with shoes now. Light aluminum shoes. This horse is so talented, I don't think him racing with or without shoes matters. I actually think he is better with shoes on".
What do you think of the Saturday race?
"Of course, you always have to respect your opponents. It's a good and even field and we can't just show up and expect to win. The margins are tight, between winning and finishing third, or fourth. He didn't draw all that well now, but it's not the end of the world since he doesn't leave that fast. He will race in the regular style sulky and his set earhood again. We have still never pulled any earplugs on him".
What are his plans for the winter?
"If all goes well, we aim at the first of the B-races in Paris, November 17. That is six weeks after the Swedish Championships and I doubt that he will race in between. I think we will stay home and train instead".
"The goal is to return to Vincennes at the end of December, or early January. He likes the big tracks down there and the longer distances benefit him. He can go a tough last kilometer and we hope, of course, that he can race in the Prix d'Amerique," says Håkan Arvidsson.
"Then, she could be a fun longshot"
The Björn Goop stable has four more starters on the Saturday V75 card and Håkan Arvidsson provides the information.
"6 Betting Pacer (V75-1) has been great all year and drew OK. She leaves fast and if she gets a perfect trip and Great Skills somehow doesn't, then she could be a fun longshot. But I think it will be tough to beat Great Skills".
"7 Elegance Kronos (V75-1) had a good year last year, but it hasn't quite worked out for her this year. From this post position and against Great Skills, she has to hope for a check".
"4 The Lion (V75-5) is good for the class, is in good form, and drew well. With the right trip, he is not chanceless".
"12 Head Of State (V75-5) Had broken equipment in his last start and was pulled up. He raced well before that and looks good. He drew poorly and with some racing luck, he could hit the board".