V75®: Rackham is due for a win - "Looks pretty good on paper"
He finished third in the Paralympic Trot behind San Moteur and he has raced well every time after that in the gold division, without getting a win.
Rackham has now drawn the best post position so far this year – and with that last start in his legs, Christoffer Eriksson is hoping for a win.
"Finally, he has a good post position. He needed a tightener last time and he will be in good form now. I think it looks pretty good on paper" says Christoffer Eriksson.
There is a big trot fest this weekend at Axevalla as this year's Triple Trot takes place, with Stochampionatet as the main attraction on Sunday. But already on Saturday there are nice races with V75® and in the gold division, Rackham will try to get another win in the open class. Christoffer Eriksson's horse who is almost a three-time millionaire, won the gold division (also a qualifying leg of the Paralympic Trot) on April 1 at Åby but hasn't had much luck since, especially with the draws, according to trainer and driver Christoffer Eriksson.
"Now, we drew well for a change" says Christoffer, when he on Sunday evening saw that Rackham drew post two behind the gate.
"Had put on some extra weight - needed a tightener"
That is the best post position the chestnut horse has had all year, and he now has a start in legs, after having been scratched out of Norrbottens Stora Pris in Boden.
"He hit himself before that start in Boden and got an ugly cut and we gave it time to heal. He had a few weeks off before his last start at Solänget last Wednesday, and he had put on some extra weight. He needed a tightener and I think he raced well, considering the conditions. He doesn't do his best work when he comes first up either, but the pace was low and I had a good horse on my back. I felt that I had to make a move" says Christoffer.
"But the effort was good and he fought well to finish fourth in 1:12.5 at Solänget, which is not a very fast track. I have to say that he felt very sound and he will be improved with that start in his legs".
"Rackham has raced well in every start. After finishing third in the Paralympic Trot, he closed very well in Prins Daniels lopp from post eight on the short distance. He also raced well in Östersund when he finished fifth, after going first up. It feels like he is still developing a bit, and I'm sure he will have a great second half of the year".
"Is due for a win – can leave better than people think"
You can tell, when listening to Christoffer, that he is optimistic going into the Saturday start. From post two behind the gate, he will be one of the favorites in the race over the long distance.
"I think it looks pretty good on paper. The long distance feels interesting and this is maybe a bit easier race for him compared to the ones he's been in lately. Even if no races are easy, I should say. He has proven that he is good enough for these races and as I said, he will be much improved off of that last start".
"You can't just go out there and expect to win a race like this, but if things work out, he can win. I think he is due for a win. He can leave much better than people think, but since he has started from bad posts so many times, there hasn't been any point in leaving with him. No changes, he will go barefoot all around and in a regular style sulky again" says Christoffer Eriksson.