V75® (multi jackpot): War horse Phoenix Photo first in the photo again?
A catapult start to the lead and the rest was a walk in the park.
Phoenix Photo has found the top form just in time for the winter and chases more gold in Silverhästen.
"It looks like a good spot for him here," says trainer Svente Ericsson about his war horse racing in V75 with a multi jackpot.
It will be an exciting Saturday.
Solvalla hosts V75 with high-class races, topped off with a multi jackpot added by ATG. A sole winner with all seven winners picked can take home SEK 50 million.
A horse the bettors have learned to handle with care during the darker months of the year is 2 Phoenix Photo (V75-5).
The 10-year-old, a true war horse, now takes aim at the Saturday feature, the Konung Carl XVI Gustafs Silverhäst. This, after a spectacular win in the Gold division at Bergsåker three weeks ago, The gelding proved to be untouchable from the lead — a great effort.
"It really was. He was in super shape that day and the way he feels in training, he is still in the same good shape. This looks like a good spot for him, even if it's a tough race too. My horse is in top form and will race with his optimal equipment, it's the last day we can race barefoot this year, so we have to try to take advantage of that," says Svante Ericsson and means the barefoot ban that goes in effect on all Swedish racetracks from December 1.
The victory last time out was Phoenix Photo's first since March when he won the Gold division final.
The four-time millionaire seems to like the winter months.
"He does. I think he's just as good all year, he races well in the summer too, but the races are tougher then and that's the biggest difference".
Lighning fast — but the lead is not guaranteed
When Phoenix Photo won his most recent start, he showed that he is incredibly quick out of the gate.
The big favorite Castor The Star was also most people's favorite to take the lead, but the 10-year-old blew straight to the lead as soon as the wings of the gate folded. With that in mind, post position two on Saturday looks attractive.
"He has gotten darn fast out of the gate, he gets quicker and he can leave real quick. I don't know how fast Stoletheshow can leave from his inside post and he could be hard to pass when they're next to each other, but there are fast horses to his outside, too. So the lead is in no way guaranteed, but you always think you have a chance to win when you race this horse," says Svante.
What are the plans going forward for Phoenix Photo, will he try to defend his title in the Gold division final on December 26 after this start?
"Yes, he has these two starts left this year. I have to be pleased with what he has done this year".
Top form — and an exciting year
The trainer from Eskilstuna has one more starter in V75 on Saturday.
6 Caughtredhanded (V75-6) was heavily used on the V75 tickets, on the same day when Phoenix Photo won, two starts ago, but made a break after having made it to the lead.
"They trotted very, very fast at that point and my horse relaxed a bit and rolled over into a break. But he bounced back nicely in his last start and showed that the form is there".
The 4-year-old proved he is still in good form when he closed well to victory in his most recent start.
He has an interesting task in The Owners Trophy, a long-distance race handicapped over several distances. Caughtredhanded starts from post position six on the starting distances, where he gets to turn alone and can get a good start.
"He behaved well in his last start and is also in top form. This is, of course, a tough race but the long distance suits him well and he has a perfect post position. I think he will make good money and winning is not impossible, even if, as I said, it's a tough race".
Could he go wire-to-wire?
"Well, it's never quite that easy, but it's an attractive post position, he can lave fast which he has proven before. It feels like an interesting spot for him," says Svante Ericsson, who wraps up the interview with an equipment change:
"He will most likely race with a pull-down brilde this time, instead of a blind bridle, he gets a bit too hot with that but the pull-down bridle should be a nice fit, now that it's a long-distance race".