GS75®: Believes in a new victory for the star in Stockholm Cup
Square de Luynes is once again the huge favorite in the biggest thoroughbred race in Scandinavia, Stockholm Cup.
Despite the fact that the five year old has only raced once in the last eleven months the trainer believes in a new victory.
"His form is only at 90 percent but I think my horse is good enough to win this race" says Niels Petersen.
Last year's edition of Stockholm Cup turned out to be a one horse show starring Square de Luynes.
The French born gelding was simply in a class of his own and he will once again be the huge favorite on Sunday over the 2,400 meters on the Bro Park turf.
The biggest thoroughbred race in Scandinavia can in the 'corona' year 2020 offer a check of SEK 900,000 to the winner with a modified scale for the rest.
Stockholm Cup will be held without foreign guests but many of races on the under card have both British and German guests.
Champion trainer Niels Petersen, who has won the race six times the last nine years sounds very optimistic about his star when we reach him on Thursday of the 'cup week'.
Square de Luynes spent last winter in Dubai but he never raced and his seasonal debut did not take place until August in Marit Sveaas Minnesløp at home in Norway. The five year old got a tough race and hung on well to finish third.
"My horse had had a longer break before his most recent start and he really needed that start to get going. Square de Luynes was very good then and we were of course happy with his effort. He has taken a big step forward and you can really tell in training" says Niels Petersen.
The five year old who was one of the best horses in the world last year gets jockey Pat Cosgrave in the saddle in Stockholm Cup on Sunday and this will be the third time the Irish jockey rides Square de Luynes.
Stockholm Cup is the sixth leg on GS75 from Bro Park on Sunday.
"I don't think his form is at 100 percent but I think he should have a very good chance to win the race anyway. His form is only at 90 percent but I think the horse is good enough to win this race" says Niels Petersen.
Square de Luynes was meant to race in Dubai last winter but was never entered to a race down there. Why not?
"He's a big horse and I never got him in the form I wanted to be in order to race in Dubai. So he was just training down there instead. We will see how things turn out".
Privilegiado is the second horse form your stable in Stockholm Cup (GS75) who gets Carloz Lopez in the saddle this time. The four year old won the Norwegian Derby last year and he has one win and one third place finish in seven starts this year. What are his chances?
"I count on Privilegiado to finish in the top bunch. His form is on top and he is training very well. I think he is the toughest opponent for Square de Luynes".