V75® (double jackpot): Crebas ready to roll
Back to defend his title.
Bransbys Juke Box was the strongest horse in the long-distance race on V75® a year ago.
"I will never forget that day. The way my horse fought brought tears to my eyes," says Hans Crebas who returns to Norway as V75 comes with a double jackpot.
SEK 59 million to a sole winner with all seven winners picked.
V75® this Saturday comes with an attractive double jackpot and is traditionally being raced in Norway, but instead of Momarken, it is Bjerke in Oslo hosting the races.
That does not stop Hans Crebas from entering the track in V75-1 as the defending champion in the race card's endurance test over three kilometers.
The conditions were the same last year when Bransbys Juke Box as a 10-year-old overpowered his opponents on the deep and sloppy track and set the tone for a day of Swedish dominance, where five of the seven V75 legs were won by the blue and yellow team.
"I remember everything from that day. The track was a disaster, it thawed out and the races almost got canceled. I was ready to go home again. My horse had four steel shoes and the plan was to race him barefoot, but it was impossible on that surface. I warmed him up with the steel shoes and he felt good, so I didn't bother changing to aluminums. I thought to myself: Whatever happens, happens. Then we caused a recall, it was the first time I tried the Norwegian volt start system. I thought I would get thrown out," says Crebas, who on the contrary, did everything right once the race started.
"We managed to get to the lead, but my horse was tired in the last turn, very tired. The track was very demanding there, it was like a sandbox, with a long homestretch ahead of us. But the other horses were also tired and he just kept fighting and refused to let an elite horse like Ble du Gers pass. It was a huge moment for me. Not my biggest win, but without a doubt, one of the most memorable ones. I felt it in my heart and I was touched after the race," says Crebas.
Is the horse in the same form this year?
"Absolutely, at least as good as last year. He has raced great three starts in a row and after his most recent start, I decided to go for this race and try to defend our title".
Does that mean that you have sharpened him up a bit extra at home to have him in top form this Saturday?
"Yes. He trained faster on the straight track today (Monday). I trained him two extra intervals, I have rarely done that with him. He's an old warrior who normally takes it easy in between starts, but it was longer in between starts now so that's why I did that. He felt good, I think he will be in top form on Saturday".
His sire, Skogans Joker was a unique phenomenon who just became stronger and stronger with each year and won the gold division as a 12-year-old. Can Bransbys Juke Box follow in his footsteps and continue to develop at this high age?
"Yes, I believe so. He won't be as good as his sire, but he still feels so alert and happy. His legs are rock solid, we do checkups on him regularly, but we rarely have to treat him in any joint. He will continue racing as long as he thinks it's fun and can hold his own at this level. We are not going to race him in lower classer if he loses his will to fight, the owner and I have agreed upon that. Then he will just be a pet instead. He is such a wonderful individual who has given us a lot of joy".
What do you think about the race on Saturday?
"I think it looks good. Sure, he is handicapped tougher than last year, but from what I've heard, these are not the toughest opponents. And it helps us that the race didn't fill. Now we can pull his shoes too and I count on a great effort," says Hans Crebas, who as opposed to last year, brings two more horses across the border.
Blinkers, pulled shoes, and American sulky
3 Tasherit (V75-3) finished seventh in V75 as recently as last Saturday after a tough last kilometer out wide.
"I think she was super. There was no tempo upfront and I thought I would get someone's cover, but unfortunately, nobody else wanted to make a move. She still finished first of the horses from her distance, it was just an impossible task for us in the back. She has always been better barefoot and she showed it once again, we will race the same way this week".
It will be the first time in her career that she races back-to-back weeks, what do you think about that?
"I think it will benefit her. She's a bit lazy and she doesn't go all out in the races and she has raced well when racing frequently before, even if it hasn't been back-to-back weeks. I will put an American sulky and blinkers on her this time and go all that I can".
She is entered with a regular style sulky...
"That's a mistake and I don't know if you can change it online as the races are in Norway. But she will race in an American sulky, if I have to wait until race day to change it, so be it".
She usually races with a pull-down bridle, are the blinkers new for her?
"Yes, the first time. She has raced in a blind bridle a couple of times before, like in her last start. But now we will try blinkers to see if we can get her a little bit sharper".
Do you want to race her in the lead if you can get there?
"No, I don't think so. Maybe if she feels so good I get that feeling, but the plan is to give her a trip. She can follow very good horses when she gets an inside trip, but she has some problems to win".
Problems to win can also be said about 4 Ben Hogan (V75-5) who has finished second in eight of his last ten starts...
"Yes, but that is not due to a lack of heart. He fights bravely every time, but he has always run into someone who has been too good, or who has tripped him out. He's a wonderful horse, it's like driving a car, completely safe and I believe he deserves a win".
You have entered him with an American sulky for the first time, is that information correct?
"Yes, that's correct. I have waited for a suitable race and here it is. He will also race with blinkers, it will be the first time for him too, he has raced in a blind bridle, or an open eye blind bridle before".
Do you want to race him in the lead?
"Absolutely. If we get to the lead, I won't let anyone go, I will roll him. He has a 1:14 lifetime mark and he's ready to lower it big time. I think he will trot 1:11 this summer and he is ready to trot fast already on Saturday".
Your horses look like they will not be much used on the V75 tickets, do you think either of them can upset?
"Yes, it wouldn't surprise me. In my eyes, both Bransbys Juke Box and Ben Hogan can win, while Tasherit is maybe a top three candidate," says Hans Crebas.