V75® (dream jackpot): Martinsson showing the way toward the millions
The last day of the year. V75® Winter Burst culminates.
A sole winner can take home over SEK 100 million as the New Year's celebrations kick off at Axevalla.
Eric Martinsson from the home team sends out a full squad with two good chances.
"Stepping Dreamboy and Young are probably equal chances," says the Axevalla trainer.
Eight V75® cards in nine days.
Winter Burst is coming to an end on New Year's Eve.
For the bettors who pick all seven winners on their V75 tickets, the festivities can start in the afternoon. Over SEK 100 million is in the pool.
Axevalla-trained horses dominate the V75 entries on the last day of 2024.
Eric Martinsson from the home team sends out six starters and hopes for a good ending to the season.
"Our horses have done well, but we have made less money than last year. That's racing and the margins are small. If you have a horse that makes a lot of money, it all changes quickly. My 3-year-olds have been weaker than in previous years, that's what we hope to improve next year," says Eric when he sums up the year.
The stable sends out their first starter already in the first V75 leg.
15 Tui Southwind (V75-1) was impressive when she won two starts ago but the mare was not herself in her most recent start. She has an entire field to go around from her 20-meter handicap over the short distance.
"She was great at Färjestad and raced super but last time out in Örebro, she was not her usual self and we don't know why. She raced with shoes and didn't get a hold of the track all that well, that's the only reason we have. So, we will adjust her shoeing a bit for this start, to have a little more of the barefoot feeling. Her form should be good and if she can deliver the way she did at Färjestad, it should take her pretty far in a race like this. The post is not optimal over 1,640 meters, she needs some racing luck and the others have to get a bit tired".
Feels like a good horse for the class
The second leg is a race over the tough distance of 3,140 meters.
For the 4-year-old 4 Young (V75-2), it will be his first time in the distance, but the horse comes off an impressive victory.
"Young has raced well all year and he should be a contender again, he feels like a good horse for the class. He won convincingly last time out but has, as I said, raced well all year: at Mantorp he was very good, he just got out too late and closed well. In the start before that at Åby, he got a slow start and made a good move down the backside, and understandably, he got a bit tired the last 100 meters".
How do you think the horse will handle the long distance?
"It's always hard to say how it will work out, but at the same time, it's the same for all. Of course, it's important to not use any speed mid-race, then they will be tired at the end so, you have to give them a nice trip. The post position is fine, he doesn’t leave fast anyway, he should find a good spot from there. I have a good feeling".
The 3-year-old 9 Rolyman (V75-3) has delivered good efforts lately.
The gelding starts from the second tier in this 15-horse field.
"He raced well in Örebro two starts ago, last time out he got a different trip and sat way back, but it was a good effort, all considered. Everything seems well with him but of course, we would have liked a better post, in the first tier. From this post the horses starting 20 meters behind us will catch up right away. We have to hope for some luck with the trip and that he can get a nice check. He's a pretty good horse, but he needs luck with the trip".
What are your thoughts about 4 Network Eagle and 8 Blue Frontline (V75-4) who both start in the final of the Ecurie D. series for fillies and mares?
"Network Eagle was treated after her last start so, that's a plus. We will see if she can handle post four in the volt start. I think both our mares have to focus on getting checks, maybe they could end up third, fourth, or fifth with some luck. Blue Frontline has a good post position for her, from post one with the 20-meter handicap, she can make a big turn and get a good trip. She raced well in her last start but is left out to what the others do here. As I said, she has to race for a check, and then try to get a bigger check".
Tough loss — but hung in well
2 Stepping Dreamboy (V75-5) has shown exceptional form lately.
After a hiatus of almost a year, the horse has returned with two wins and a second place in four starts.
"He has come back well. The horse has had some injuries but feels great now and he has a lot of ability. If he can continue to stay sound, he should make good money going forward".
In his most recent start, at Solvalla, he almost held on to win.
But from the lead, Stepping Dreamboy was caught by the big upset Narita in the last stride.
"He hung in well last time out. The first 800 meters were fast and they came to the kilometer in 1:11.3 which is fast this time of the year. It was a tough loss, but he's not the kind of horse that will just leave the field, he likes company and maybe it would have been better with a horse next to him down the stretch. Now he was all alone and the closers came fast, that's not easy".
...and now he has the perfect post to get the lead again?
"I think so. He benefits from racing in the lead so, the plan is to get there. It could cost a lot, especially this time of the year when the tracks are a little more demanding, but getting the lead should be our best chance to win the race".
Is he your best chance of the day?
"Well, I think Stepping Dreamboy and Young are equally good chances. I can't imagine there's a better horse in that race so, if the trip just works out, he should have a good chance, too," says Eric Martinsson.