V75® (jackpot): Månlykke and Djuse close out the year with their sixth straight win?

The coldblood open class is on the V75 card again this week, as the final of Dubbelcupen goes as the second leg at Bergsåker. 

When Månlykke A.M. won the Swedish Championship at the end of August, it was a field of eight; therefore, the race was not included on the V75 card. 

This Saturday he is back on the big scene. 

A 15-horse field will battle in Brimsguttens Minne (V75-2) with SEK 200,000 to the winner. 

Gunnar Melander's star trotter starts with a 20-meter handicap, and from the second tier in this volt start race — the worst possible post position. 

"It is what it is. We can't do anything about that. Magnus is good and I'm sure he will take care of it. There will be many horses in front of him, of course. It feels like he's in good form so that part doesn't worry me. But he needs some racing luck, too". 

Tekno Jerven and Järvsöodin seem to be the two worst opponents — both from better post positions from the same distance as Månlykke A.M. The coldblood king will still be the big betting favorite. 

The 10-year-old comes into the race with five straight wins, including victories in the Swedish Championship and Unionskampen. His most recent start was at Bollnäs three weeks ago, in a leg of Dubbelcupen, where Magnus A Djuse sent the horse straight to lead but then, he made a break. 

It all ended well, as Månlykke A.M. rounded the field easily on the last lap. Järvsöodin (also in the race Saturday) could not hold him off from the lead. 

Gunnar Melander calls the break accidental. 

"He got the lead easily and I think the horse just relaxed and rolled over into a break when he trotted pretty fast. Magnus said that it caught him off guard. But he is not a complicated horse and he showed that the form is good!"

Last year was a gap year with only one win in eleven starts. This year, the coldblood king has six wins in ten starts and five in a row since mid-July. 

Gunnar Melander explains that pollen allergy is what bothered his trotted in 2023. 

An allergy that was avoided without medication this past summer. 

"When things go bad, you have to try to learn from them and improve, which we have done. We took care of it without medication, thanks to good feed. He feels great and has done so for a long time now, since midsummer he has won every race he has started in". 

That one of the best drivers in the world is also in the picture has, of course, been a contributory factor to the success. 

Gunnar Melander wanted to try Magnus A Djuse on his horse and sent him a text message this spring. 

"Yes, I sent him a text message, and in a couple of hours, he called me. I asked if he would like to drive Månlykke A.M. for me. Magnus was very humble and said he would love to when he had the chance. It was a very positive conversation. We have kind and nice horses and then you want a driver who treats them well, too. Magnus is a good fit for all horses and definitely for Månlykke," says Melander. 

The result of that little business deal is well-known. Magnus A Djuse has won six out of nine starts with the best coldblood trotter in Sweden this year. 

The Saturday start puts an end to the 2024 racing season for Månlykke A.M. The question is; will the horse end the year with six straight wins?

"The post position is negative, of course. But thanks to post eight, he might be more interesting to bet this time. My horse is in good form and feels great. With some racing luck, he will beat many of them. He should probably be the favorite, but it's not easy from that outside post. He will race with shoes as he has in most of his starts throughout his career and it doesn't look like the track will freeze on Saturday. I'm sure the track will be fast, as the temperature is supposed to stay above freezing all week in Sundsvall," says Gunnar Melander.