V75 (Tuesday): "I am proud however it turns out"
Dion Tesselaar is a successful trainer and driver based in Wolvega, Netherlands. Tesselaar has around 1,200 driving wins and he makes a guest appearance at Jägersro on the Hugo Åberg night.
"I am coming with a strong favorite and also a dark horse for the Åbergs Memorial" says Tesselaar.
The 53-year old Dutch trainer brings Officer Steven for the main event, Hugo Åbergs Memorial (V75-6). Officer Steven finished second to Bepi Bi in the Sweden Cup at Solvalla two starts ago. In his most recent start, he also finished second, this time behind Stoletheshow in Ulf Thoresens Minneslöp in Norway. Tesselaar also ships up the promising three-year-old colt Gio Cash, who will be the favorite in the Breeders Course Final (V75-4). A race open for three-year-olds where the winner gets SEK 800,000.
He is making the trip to Sweden with a lot of joy and pride.
"I am making the trip to Jägersro on Tuesday with a lot of pride. Sure, it´s fun to win races at the smaller tracks at home too, but these days and these races are where you want to be and be seen. Show that you are good enough. I have raced at Jägersro before, but never on the Hugo Åberg night, so this feels special. This is what we work for. In rain and in sunshine".
"I think the Swedish racing is of the highest class and your racetracks are of very high class as well. I have raced at Jägersro when it has poured down and the track was still very good. It´s a true pleasure".
Gio Cash has a good chance to win
Dion Tesselaar speaks a little bit about his chances below.
How do you look at Officer Steven´s chances in Hugo Åbergs?
"I really like this horse and he is the best horse I have ever trained. From post ten we will need a lot of luck, of course. It would have been much better with post nine, if you have to start from the second tier. Now, we risk getting away way too far back. But, he is in top form and he will race barefoot upfront again. We´ll see how far that takes him".
What about Gio Cash? He has won six out of his eight starts so far and he was very impressive when he won the Breeders Course leg at Jägersro in his last start. What can the we expect this time?
"He is absolutely one of the biggest talents I have ever trained and he does everything right. He was very good last time out and closed beautifully. He trained very good last Friday and he can leave fast".
What is your tactical plan with Gio Cash and are you making any changes?
"I will try to get the lead, but he races well behind horses too. We have no reason to change anything, so he will race with shoes, an open bridle and in a regular style sulky".
You sound pretty confident?
"I have to admit that it looks like a good chance to win. He is young and not all that experienced, but he handles these long trips without any problems, which is a big advantage. I am optimistic going into the race, even if there are good horses in the field. Just as it should be in a big race".
"It´s an exciting Tuesday night we have ahead of us. I am happy and proud to be a part of it, however it turns out".