V75® (double jackpot): A Fair Day ready for action
The Elitlopp miscue is already forgotten.
On Sunday, A Fair Day wants revenge.
"My horse feels super sharp and he is certainly ready," says Elisabeth Almheden about his next battle with the elite trotters in Kalmarsundspokalen.
The Midsummer Trot with V75® on Sunday is a tradition in Kalmar and it usually attracts a big crowd and good horses. As an extra spice, this card has a jackpot worth SEK 60 million in the pool.
This year, much focus will be on the hometown hero A Fair Day.
"Affe" as he is called, became all of Sweden's hopeful in this year's Elitlopp.
The fun did not last long, though. Shortly after the start, the 5-year-old made a break, he got spooked when Prix d'Amerique winner Idao de Tillard stepped into A Fair Day's wheel.
"That was a bummer, of course, but that can happen in racing. The experience of being there was magical and fantastic in every way. It was top-notch all the way and very well organized. It was an experience was A Fair Day too, staying overnight and with all the media there, he enjoyed the attention and we would love to come back," says Elisabeth Almheden
Feels great
The Kalmar licensed amateur trainer leaves nothing to chance and works with many preventive actions. She visits the Kalmar Horse Center regularly and at one of those visits, the veterinarian discovered a small lameness on A Fair Day.
"It was nothing serious and I think A Fair Day was mostly sore and stiff. We blocked his right stifle and that took care of the lameness, so we treated him there. That was actually the first time he got injected".
After some rest, the training resumed gradually with the V75 start at home in Kalmarsundspokalen in aim.
"A Fair Day feels great. He has trained as usual and feels just as good as before his seasonal debut at Färjestad".
Do you think his form is still as good?
"It's hard to say, even if he feels very sharp and ready. Before his seasonal debut, we trained him pretty fast because we wanted to make sure he was ready. We haven't done that this time, but on the other hand, he has a few starts in his legs now that I think have improved him".
What do you think of his chances to win?
"It turned out to be a tough race. It's probably the best edition of Kalmarsundspokalen in many years. The post position (post 10, in the second tier) makes A Fair Day left out to what the opponents do in the race. I would have preferred starting in the first tier, but it could have been worse, too. I hope the tempo will be high and that "Affe" can beat many of them in the finish; he always does his best and it will be exciting".
A better chance to win
A Fair Day is not the only horse attracting attention. His little brother 7 Maroon Day debuts on V75 after a few weeks of involuntary time off.
"He was entered to V75 at Åby at the beginning of May but caught a cold that took some time for him to shake off. He has trained for some time now and feels great. Maroon Day took big steps in his development last winter and has been good in both starts this year. He has won without having to go all out and I'm very pleased with him too".
Does he have a better chance to win than A Fair Day?
"Yes, I think so. Maroon Day is very capable and he is good for the class he's in. He showed in his most recent start that he can leave fast and hopefully, he can find a good spot despite the post position. Maroon Day didn't train at the track before his seasonal debut and he has gotten similar training going into this start and as I said, he feels great".