V75®: Darius putting a lot of effort into his picks
He has been the public address announcer since 1995 and the track handicapper for the Axevalla program for almost 40 years.
The journalist Olof Darius is the jack of all trades who loves his racetrack.
The festivities of the Stochampionatet weekend are right around the corner.
"To sit in a lawn chair and watch the races as a spectator is nothing I long for. I want to be in the middle of the action and do it with everyone here at Axevalla".
The three-day trot fest at Axevalla can be consumed in many ways.
Olof Darius does it from the public address announcer’s booth all weekend.
Next year will mark 30 years since he first sat down behind the microphone at the track where Göran Borgås was the track announcer.
The festivities start Friday night with Grand Slam V75, continue with a regular V75 card on Saturday, and end on Sunday with Stochampionatet, one of the big classical races in Swedish trotting.
Luckily, Olof Darius lives only 30 kilometers from the racetrack, in Falköping.
Darius has traveled that road back and forth many times since he as a 15-year-old visited Axevalla the very first time.
"I went with an uncle of mine to watch the races the first time and was hooked immediately. I was totally consumed by the entire experience. It was 1976 and since then I haven't missed more than 20 to 30 race days at Axevalla," says Darius, who works at the newspaper Falköping Tidning.
The Axevalla profile is also a board member at the track.
"Yes, I have been for over 20 years now. I joined the board in the early 2000s. The years go by..." he says.
36 races to solve this weekend
Three packed race programs are ready for the weekend ahead. Twelve races a day. 36 races total from Friday to Sunday.
Olof Darius has handicapped every single race and called trainers for interviews, something he has done as a sidekick from his day job at the newspaper since 1985.
Since the year 2000, he has done it all by himself.
This week's trot fest with Stochampionatet is one thing, but does it not feel like an everyday grind to handicap races in the middle of the winter, one can wonder.
But the man behind the best-prepared picks in the country (of all track programs) sounds surprised that the question is even brought up.
"I am very enthusiastic about this job and just as passionate about a regular V5 card or the lunch races at Axevalla. Sure, there are more festivities this weekend. But every card has its charm. To open the entries to handicap the races is just as big for me every time".
Focusing on the interviews
As of the last few years, he has gotten less time to handicap and make interviews. All because the program goes to print sooner.
Darius has been forced to cut down the written handicapping analysis but still offers the same number of interviews with trainers and drivers.
"I am focusing on the interviews. That's what people want. What do the trainers say about their horses? I call as many as I have time for and I have room for around 35 horses per card".
How will you feel on Sunday night after yet another Stochampionat weekend?
"To be the public address announcer is the biggest mental tension. To constantly keep track of everything. When the adrenaline leaves my body on Sunday, it all hits me. That's when the mental fatigue comes. But I wouldn't trade the job for a spot in the stands. I want to be in the middle of the action and do it with everyone at the track".
Can you give us your best winners on the Saturday V75 card?
"4 Lozano di Quattro (V75-5) is the obvious one, a horse that many betters will leave singled on the V75 ticket, and so will I. Something unexpected has to happen for him to lose, now that he drew such a good post position too. Lozano di Quattro feels overqualified to race in the silver division. You want him in the gold division".
...and your second choice?
"It's a bit of an unexpected pick, if I may say so myself. 1 Spartakus (V75-6) in the bronze division. I have followed that horse, but I got a feeling when I interviewed trainer Christoffer Eriksson Sunday night. I heard how pleased he sounded with the horse and with getting post position one. A dream post, said Christoffer. All the pieces are in place for Spartakus to lead from start to finish. 4 Dats Tore (V75-7) is the one I got the best feeling about of the home team horses. After several good efforts, Eric Martinsson's horse is sort of due for a win now, he also fits the class perfectly".
The photo for this article is from last spring when Lexington Zon won for trainer Josefine Ivehag. A happy part owner Olof Darius. Do you own more horses?
"Yes, and for the first time I own part of a horse racing at the Stochampionat weekend. 10 Excalibur Gene (V75-3) races in V75 on Sunday, Maria Törnqvist trains. The horse is in such good form that he can actually win the 3-year-old race (Slaget vid Axevalla Hed). So, my pulse is probably three times as high as usual for this year's Stochampionat weekend compared to other years!," says Olof Darius.