V75 (double jackpot): Pydin is going after Månykke A.M.'s scalp again
Two starts ago, he made a fantastic comeback and outclassed Månlykke A.M.
After that performance, Pydin is a strong challenger for the coldblood king in V75 at Umåker.
"It was so cool to see when he just left Månlykke and the others by seven, or eight lengths. He drew a perfect post and he is one of the horses who can win the race" says trainer Niclas Torstemo.
Pydin is like a family member according to the Torstemo family, who are both breeders and owners of the three-time millionaire. The eleven-year-old stallion has had a solid career after started off strong as a three and four-year-old. He finished second in the Norwegian Derby, for instance.
"He made a lot of money at age three and four, followed by a fews seasons that weren't as good. He was up and down in his performances and his form used to decline after the summer. It feels like he has become more consistent and stable now. It started already last fall when we pulled his shoes for the first time. That gave him an extra gear, and now he has raced well in ten consecutive starts. I also think that he feels sounder now compared to earlier" says Niclas Torstemo.
"He was incredible"
One of the best races of Pydin’s career was from this year's Easter weekend in Gävle, where he on Maundy Thursday beat none less than Månlykke A.M., who made his first start of the year. It was a monster performance by Pydin when he left his opponents far behind together with driver Tomas Pettersson. Indeed an impressive effort as the horse raced barefoot for the first time of the year, and won in 1:22.1/2,160 meters with volt start.
"It was so cool to see when he just left Månlykke and the others by seven, or eight lengths. He was incredible that day, and it’s not easy to just leave these type of horses behind like that. For him to simply outclass the opponents and win like that was something nobody could see coming" says Niclas.
In his last start, Pydin finished second to Bäcklös Uriel, but raced well again.
"Even thought he lost as the giant favorite last time out, he is excused. He had a lot of ground to make up on a good horse on the front. He simply never caught the horse who took the lead and got a jump on the field in the last turn. I was satisfied with my horse and he has felt good in some light training intervals after that too. Now that he has raced with such short time in between starts, he doesn't train very hard".
"At least five horses can win"
This Saturday, V75 at Umåker comes with a double jackpot. A sole winner can take home SEK 63 million. For the Hagmyren trainer Niclas Torstemo it will be an exciting afternoon with his big star of the stable, Pydin. It remains to be seen if he can take Målykke A.M.'s scalp once again. The post position draw turned out well for Pydin, who starts from post position two with Tomas Pettersson in the sulky again, while Månlykke A.M. starts from post seven behind the gate.
"Post position two is perfect and so it the short distance. It's a very tough field, and not only Månlykke A.M. to beat. I think there are at least five horses who can win the race. My horse is one of them and it will come down to form and the trip".
"Pydin is very versatile and he races well both in the lead and from behind. He leaves a little faster than medium, but he's no catapult starter. Other than that, he is pretty much the total package and that gives the driver different tactical options".
"It will be exciting and the same horses often race against each other and they also beat each other. There is no horse like Järvsöfaks anymore, who wins every time, now the wins are divided among more horses. We are not making any changes, he will race barefoot again and in a regular style sulky" says Niclas Torstemo.