V75®: Ready for a new successful year — Wäjersten with two chances at his home track
Last year was a huge success for Daniel Wäjersten.
After starting 2025 nice and easy, the stable is now getting ready for the racing season.
When V75 comes to Sundsvall, Competivo is an interesting winning candidate in the Bergsåker Winter Trot.
"It is a bit hard to say how a race like this will unfold, so it feels interesting."
He finished second, just beaten, in the Swedish trainer's standings with SEK 45 million in earnings in 2024.
Wins in the Kriterium, the Oaks, Breeders Crown— and a second place in the Elitlopp. On top of that, nominated for both trainer of the year and driver of the year at the upcoming Hästgalan.
2024 was a great year for Daniel Wäjersten, who has not raced many horses so far this year.
"Borups Victory is in full training and feels good, Bullet The Bluesky has only trained in the uphill so far and is happy and fresh," says Daniel about two of the poster boys of his stable when we reach him after the Monday training is concluded.
Competivo a candidate in an even field
Superstars of that caliber are not competing in V75 this week at Bergsåker, but the Wäjersten stable is represented by 11 Competivo (V75-6), a 5-year-old in good form, in the Saturday feature, Bergsåker Winter Trot.
The race, with SEK 400,000 to the winner, is a volt start handicap. Competivo has delivered several good efforts lately, and in his most recent start, he finished third in the Bronze division final.
"Competivo lost to two very good horses that day, so we were pleased with him. He has raced well all winter, but he might not be a hot winning candidate in this race even if he, as I said, has raced very well lately. He might not be in top form, but his form is good."
What are your first thoughts on the Saturday race?
"It is a bit hard to say how a race like this will unfold, so it feels interesting: it is almost like the Sylvesterloppet on New Year's Eve at Axevalla eds note) the way it is handicapped, where, hopefully, many horses will end up in the photo. Competivo is a versatile horse. He is not very quick at the start, so short-distance races are not really his thing. 2,140 meters and these longer distances are better for him."
Seasonal debut — But she is good for the class
Already in the fourth leg, the Stodivisionen, Team Wäjersten sends out 1 Randy Zon (V75-4).
The 4-year-old mare, who is a full sister to the two-time millionaire O'Mara Zon, who last year retired from racing, only has one career win but raced against the best 3-year-old fillies in the country last fall.
This Saturday, she makes her seasonal debut.
"Randy Zon has not raced in a while but has trained very well all winter. She has trained at Bergsåker once in 1:18/2,000 meters. Normally, she will need a start, but at the same time, she raced against some good fillies last fall without getting much to show for it, so she is good for this class."
This is a mare that you have some hopes for this year?
"Yes, I mean, she made it to the Breeders Crown semifinals, and she raced in an Oaks elimination, so of course, we hope that she will step up into the bigger races this year; then we will see where she ends up."
You are starting from post position one in this V75 race. Your thoughts?
"The post position is good for her in volt start. Posts 1, 6, and 7 are her best posts in volt start, so she can get out of there on her own. As I said, this is her seasonal debut, so she has to be handicapped on what she showed last year since she is not in top form yet."