V75® (Easter Eve): Four Guys Dream chasing a win in Norway
Easy win in the Gold division, last time out. Four Guys Dream is now breaking new ground.
Easter Eve is spent in Norway chasing the title in Klosterskogen Grand Prix.
V75® Spring Race lights up the entire Easter weekend, and on Saturday, the Norwegian track Klosterskogen takes over the baton.
The Halmstad trainer Håkan K Persson sends his flagship 9 Four Guys Dream (V75-6) to the track in Telemark, just outside the town of Skien, to race in the Easter Eve feature Klosterskogen Grand Prix.
Four Guys Dream comes off an easy win from the lead in the Gold division at his home track Halmstad, at the beginning of March.
"That was an unexpectedly easy victory, but that's how it is sometimes, the toughest opponents made breaks and the it worked out well for us," says the trainer Håkan K Persson and continues about his horse's status:
"We treated him after his last start in Halmstad, he was a bit sore in his ankles upfront and got a bit pacey at the end of the race. But he feels good now and there's not too much time in between starts either".
Is that why you skipped last week's Gold division final?
"Yes, it was also a tough race and he really needed to get this treatment done, the race came a week too soon, so we have aimed him for this instead".
Sharp turns – no problem
Klosterskogen is over a hundred years old, making it the oldest racetrack in Norway.
There are some things to keep in mind. It is an 800-meter track, which means sharp turns, but the home stretch is of "normal length", 220 meters, and has a passing lane.
For Four Guys Dream it will be his first visit to the track – but not for Håkan.
"I was there once, thirty years ago when I worked for Roger Grundin. So, I hope the track is the same it was then," he says and adds:
"Either way, the horses I have entered are horses who can handle tight turns, that doesn't worry me".
So, we have to count on a good chance to win for Four Guys Dream again?
"He has a very good gait for these turns, but starting in the second tier is not good for us, we will be left out to what the others do, of course. Had he been in the first tier, I would have said he's got a great chance to win, but I always believe I have a chance with this horse, he always races well even if he's in against tough horses".
Have you thought about his racing schedule going forward?
"I don't have a set plan for him, he will keep racing every couple of weeks and then we will see," says the trainer, who also informs us that the equipment will be same as in his last start; barefoot all around and an American sulky.
You are also bringing 4 J.S. Camaro (V75-5) to Klosterskogen. What can you tell us about him?
"He's a horse that I really like, he races well even if I expect a bit more from him. He got a bit sore after his last start, so we gave him a little break, but he has trained well and he usually races well after a break. He should be good on that track too, he's at his best in the turns and it's probably a bigger advantage for him. We are taking some weight off of him upfront and he will race barefoot behind. He can leave fast, but I don't know the opponents, but I have a good feeling about my horse".