V75® (jackpot): "Nice to be the underdog for once"
San Moteur is used to being the favorite when he races.
But on V75® this Saturday, he will be the underdog.
"This time we need lots of luck" says the owner Håkan Arvidsson
The best race card ever in Sweden?
Yes, quite possibly. 14 races are on the race card, with the total purse money of SEK 28 million, there has never been a richer race card anywhere in Europe. There is a lot of money up for grabs for the betters too, as the V75® card comes with a jackpot where a sole winner could take home SEK 32 million.
Besides the STL finals, the finals of Kriteriet. Oaks and the Grand Prix de l'UET are all on V75. As if that was not enough, the older elite will battle in the final of the UET Elite Circuit with SEK 2.8 million to the winner, which is also on the V75 card.
This is the race that Håkan Arvidsson has aimed for with 8 San Moteur (V75-1). The horse was not at his best in his most recent start and has gotten a little break.
"He got tired way too soon, and I realized immediately that something was wrong, his heart rate was very high for quite some time after the race. When we checked him up, he was sick, with a swollen throat. After that, we have checked him up several times and have drawn blood on him to make sure he is OK, we did so as recently as last Sunday and everything was fine".
Towards France
San Moteur has trained for some time now and Håkan Arvidsson feels comfortable with his star trotter.
"He feels great and he is right where I want him. He has gotten a lot of training and two faster heats. He feels perfect and he's very sound".
What are your expectations this time?
"We drew the worst post position of all, and that lowers my hopes quite a bit. At the same time, it could be nice for San Moteur to be the underdog for once. It feels pretty good for me too. The expectations on him are always very high and when he wins, I feel more relief than happiness".
How should the bettors handle him?
"This is an important race, no doubt, but considering the post position I would like to see him be the fastest closer in the race and if he does that and finishes third, or fourth than I will be just as happy. San Moteur is such a good horse, so he can still win if the race goes his way, but it feels like he also needs luck this time".
Are you making any changes?
"He is entered with an American sulky, but I think we will use his regular one. Now that he drew such a bad post, we will probably wait for a better opportunity to try that on him, other than that he will race barefoot behind and with an open bridle, as usual".
What are your plans for the future?
"If he is good on Saturday the aim is set on France and Prix d'Amerique. The first B-race, Prix de Bretagne, is on November 19, and he will race there. What we do after that, depends on how he does. He might get in the Prix d'Amerique on his lifetime earnings, but if he finishes top three in Prix de Bretagne, then he is in for sure and we can plan the following months as we like, up until the end of January. San Moteur will go back home to train after the November start, and then we will see how the weather is; if we stay in Sweden or if we go down to France earlier. He could make a start here in Sweden at the end of the year. The most important thing is that San Moteur is sound and healthy the entire time, so there are no setbacks".