V75®: San Moteur getting ready at home
The big Swedish hope for Prix d'Amerique.
On Saturday, the super star San Moteur sharpens his form for the winter highlight in Legolas Minne (V75-7) at Åbytravet.
"The horse is not supposed to be in top form now, but he feels fantastic, I have to admit that," says owner Håkan Arvidsson.
The last Sunday of January, San Moteur will defend the Swedish colors in the toughest trot race in the world, at Vincennes, Paris.
He qualified for the race in the middle of November when he grabbed one of the first four spots to Prix d'Amerique.
The race he had to withdraw from last year, due to injury.
A year ago, San Moteur had to make two trips to Paris to secure his spot in the big race.
This year, he did it in his first try, meaning that Håkan Arvidsson can sharpen the form at home in Sweden, in this week's Gold division at Åby.
"We haven't had a set plan after he came back home from France. This race was in our minds and when I saw the weather forecast, I decided to enter him. It will be just below freezing at night and over freezing in the daytime, which should mean that the track at Åby will be nice and soft. This is important since I don't want to race him with corks before Prix d'Amerique," says Håkan Arvidsson, who sounds extremely pleased with how his horse is getting ready.
"The big difference compared to last year is the winter we have had, or have not had. Last year, the cold and snow came already on October 5 and I had to train him on a wintry track, the last time before leaving for France. This year, the training tracks have been great, we have only had to cancel one training day. That is also why the form of the entire stable is so good right now. It is unusual that we have such nice training tracks this late in the year. For San Moteur it has also been an advantage, of course".
How does your horse feel now, compared to when you were getting him ready for Prix d'Amerique a year ago?
"At least as good as last year, I would say. He was great in the first B-race (closed at 1:01.2-speed the last 200 meters, fastest ever at Vincennes but only reached sixth place, editor’s note) and perhaps just as good in the second start before he got injured. But we did not have the same great track conditions to train on as we have this year".
"Now, I have been able to train him just as I want. He got a week off when he came back from France and after that, he has trained as usual and he feels fantastic." says Håkan Arvidsson.
No fast training heats this time
How good will his form be on Saturday?
"Same as in his last start in Paris, I would say. Before that start, I had sharpened him up a bit in training eight days prior, since we really wanted to get him qualified. He raced great, he had to use his speed a couple of time along the way, to make sure he stayed close to the front, as we didn't want to leave anything to chance. Before this start on Saturday, I haven't trained him like that, I just let him stride out a bit last Saturday and he felt just the way I wanted. But I count on his form being the same. That does not mean he's in top form. That's supposed to come in six weeks and this is, of course, a step on the way there".
Will this be his last start before Prix d'Amerique?
"We haven't decided for sure. If he qualifies for the Gold division final on Boxing Day at Solvalla, he might race there, depending on the weather and how he feels. Regardless of whether he races there or not, I feel confident that we will present him as good as he can be on the last Sunday in January. He's an easy horse to work with, since he can perform on top, even after a longer break".
This will be San Moteur's first winter start in Sweden. what type of shoes will he race with?
"The same shoes as he has raced with in his last two starts in Sweden, and as he usually does when he doesn't race barefoot; aluminum shoes, with extra grip behind," says Arvidsson who tried his star trotter barefoot all around in Åby World Grand Prix, which did not work out the way he hoped.
"No, it did not. He got foot sore upfront, which is why he looked rough gaited at the end. So, we won't make that mistake again. In Prix d'Amerique, he will race barefoot behind, and maybe some lighter front shoes that he had in his most recent start".
"Then you're in danger"
In France, it is common to give the horses a "preparé" and just follow along to get a start into them. Something that is customary for horses who are already qualified for Prix d'Amerique.
In the Swedish V75, this in not allowed and San Moteur is, as usual, the betting favorite — despite starting from the second tier.
Could we see a more careful approach from the second tier?
"I can't answer that. I have not gotten into any tactical talks with Björn (Goop) and I never do since he is so much better at that than I am. If you ask me, he can drive however he likes. Of course, we will try to win the race, but I don't which way. There are some good opponents in the race, so it's not enough to just show up".
Would you say he is a good horse to leave singled on the V75 ticket?
"Wow, it's always dangerous to be too optimistic. I don't know what to answer. I don't think as a bettor, analyzing how much the horse is used in percentage and such. But my horse trotted a low 1:11 over 2,700 meters at Vincennes, so he is good, even if he's not in top form. I can say that I would not tell you to single another horse in the race, then you're in danger," says Håkan Arvidsson.
Here are Håkan Arvidsson's comments on the other starters from the Goop stable on Saturday:
"10 Funny Money (V75-2) is my own horse so I know him well. He's strong and tough, but has a weak spot after 100 meters where he has made breaks several times. Last time out, he behaved and won after a first over trip, with plenty left in his tank. I'm pleased with the post position; he can step out of there the way he likes and hopefully stay flat. In that case, he can do a lot of the work himself, even in this class, even if it might be too much to hope for that he will just crush them first over again. But if the pace is high, he will pass many at the end. No changes and it will be exciting to see him here".
"4 Facetime Love (V75-5) is a horse I like and I think he will develop further. He has also been a bit unsafe, but he seems to be getting better at that and the effort in his most recent start, was maybe the best of his career, he closed excellent. He can leave pretty well and from a good post, I think he has a chance to win the race".
"6 In Love d'Ecajeul (V75-6) came up short in his last start and we haven't found an explanation to why, I think it was just coincidental. Before that, he was brilliant in two starts and he should be back to that form on Saturday, the way he seems in training. This is the right distance for him and he could have a chance to win if the pace is high".