V75®: "He doesn't make it easy for us"
Everyone saw the fast move that ended with a break of stride into the stretch at V75 at Kalmar.
The capable Joe Dalton himself is probably the only one who knows what he will do in the final of the silver division at Solvalla this Saturday.
"A very capable guy - but he doesn't make it easy for us," says trainer Stefan P Pettersson.
This Saturday, Solvalla arranges the finals in the Swedish Trotting League and V75 with a nice race card and also the spring premiere of Margaretas Tidiga Unghästserie.
This past weekend, Stefan P Pettersson, like many others, took a little mini vacation in Paris. As a spectator.
It was different in 2016. The Mantorp licensed trainer was in the spotlight after his horse Oasis Bi had finished third in the toughest trot race in the world and the connections were ecstatic.
"It was huge. One of my best memories on a racetrack. We also won Grand Premia della Lotteria in Italy with Oasis Bi and that was even bigger. In the media, the third-place finish in Paris was bigger though, and I understand how Sabine Kagebrant feels with Joviality," says Stefan P Pettersson.
There have been weeks of preparations for the finals at Solvalla. Joe Dalton made a costly break on his way to victory in V75 at Kalmar, three weeks ago. To get the horse calm and relaxed is a constant battle in the stable.
Joe Dalton has made breaks in 13 of his 30 career starts. He has won five races and has just surpassed SEK 1 million in earnings.
That would have been a lot more, had he not made all those breaks.
"He has no problems with his gait, he is big and very good gaited and he isn't even close to interfering, not even with shoes on, in the winter. It's more of a mental issue for him. He gets a little nervous and angry and sometimes it just doesn't work out for him," says the trainer.
Goop to drive again
Joe Dalton has had many top drivers and still made breaks. This Saturday, Björn Goop gets the call again after the past weekend's third place in Prix d'Amerique.
Goop drove when Joe Dalton made a break into the last turn in the final of the bronze division in October. He also drove him to victory in a V75 race in August from post position twelve.
The 5-year-old has won a Breeders Crown leg from the lead for Kevin Oscarsson in a very good time, but last time out, he made that break at Kalmar.
The big sweeping move he made the last 800 meters hinted at an improved Joe Dalton, before he made that break, turning for home.
"Yes, it was extraordinary even for him, with that speed. Kevin just wanted to make a move to sit outside of Adrian, but the horse kept going and they made it to the lead. Once there, he started running in a bit and when Kevis tried to keep him off the pylons, he made a break. Joe is very sensitive," says Stefan P Pettersson.
This Saturday Joe Dalton starts from post position one with Björn Goop in V75-1. Is that post position good or bad for him?
"I am happy with the inside post, but I have said several times that now that he is in the silver division, he needs a covered up trip. Often, the horses can't handle going in the lead in these high classes. In the lead, the horses can get a bit too sharp and waste energy on that. They have to be very good to win then".
Why has he made so many breaks?
"Once he minds his manners, he's a very capable horse, but at the same time it's hard to get him to behave and we work on that constantly. You could say that he is angry at the bit. He keeps chomping at the bit and can't relax because of that".
A horse who was named after a character in the comic book and cartoon series Lucky Luke, but who acts more like Dennis the Menace, considering all the mischiefs he comes up with?
"You can look at it that way. A nervous version of Dennis, who can do anything. He can leave fast and he's not bad in the lead, but if we are going to be able to race him successfully, I think he needs to learn to race behind horses and maybe we should try to win from behind on Saturday. But we have to keep every door open. The tactic will be up to Björn, depending on how the horse feels".
In the next race, the Class 2 final (V75-2) you also drew the inside post. 1 All About You, a son of Oasis Bi, is on the bigger side and therefore has needed more time?
"He has done well so far in his young career even if he's not a standout in any way. I think he's slowly getting better. All About You got a dreamy trip at Mantorp, and won the race. He held on well to finish fourth on December 23, in a race that went full speed over 1,600 meters. In his last start, he got another dreamy trip in the pocket when he finished second".
How do you like his chances?
"There are three horses in the race tat will be hard to beat, but I hope they go at each other. 6 Mellby Jail, 5 Janks Morton, and 2 Grace Trot are the three best horses. Many in this race are fast leavers, but so is our horse, so we will see about the tactics. The dream scenario would be if Sjöström races his horse (Grace Trot) in the lead and makes the others do the hard work, that would suit us well. Then he could get a good check".