V75 (Saturday): A golden spot for Joviality
After Elitloppet and Oslo Grand Prix – the big races come one after the other for Joviality.
Sabine Kagebrant hopes for gold in Halmstad for the first lady of the stable, who has perfect conditions.
"I have a good feeling about her and she's in good shape," says the Solvalla trainer.
Halmstadtravet is in the spotlight. V75 twice this week.
On Thursday afternoon, the Sprint Championship traditionally will be raced. The West Coast party continues on Saturday when the Gold Sprint is the feature of the day.
That is also where the fans get to see 3 Joviality (V75-3) again.
The 2023 Horse Of The Year finished third in Prix d'Amerique back in January and two starts ago, she raced in Elitloppet. The 5-year-old super mare was locked in for too long to have a chance at a final spot.
In her most recent start, Joviality raced in the Oslo Grand Prix. She was in the lead for most of the race, but shortly before the finish line, Banderas Bi and Kentucky River caught her.
The trainer Sabine Kagenbrant was still happy with her trainee's effort.
"I was pleased with her. I think she did very well. She got a bit too aggressive in the lead and at the same time, the track was a bit deep and the gravel was also pretty coarse and sharp. It was hard on her feet and she got a bit footsore at the end of the race, so with that in mind, I think that her effort was terrific," says Sabine and adds:
"She has trained as usual after that start, nothing out of the ordinary. She feels good and will train a couple of light intervals on Tuesday too".
Does it even feel like she has gotten better after those three starts she did last winter in Paris?
"Yes, but I think she always does, she comes out of each race well, so yes. Then, you never know with horses, but I have a good feeling, and she is in good shape. It looks as good as it possibly can, she is smooth and alert".
Many races to choose from
The gate speed is one of Joviality's good qualities.
Therefore, the race on Saturday looks appealing to the super mare. As before, she gets Erik Adielsson in the sulky and together, they start from post position three behind the gate in the one mile race.
"I can't complain about the post position and it will be interesting to see her over the short distance again, I'm super happy about that. I can tell you this: I usually don't interfere with race strategy and Erik can do what he wants, but he also knows how fast she is out of the gate. Hustle Rain is fast too, we have seen that. Erik can do what he feels is best in the moment. Joviality races well in the lead, especially now that the distance is shorter, but she is at least as good coming from behind. As I said, they will figure it out," says the trainer who also shares some info about the shoeing and equipment for Saturday.
"She will race with shoes behind this time, we will see later this week how she will race upfront, the track took its toll, last time out. But she is very versatile and has raced with shoes behind and barefoot upfront the last couple of starts and it works well for her".
Joviality got an early invitation to the new super race Åby Grand Prix, to be raced on August 10. Is that what you are aiming her for?
"Yes, we will see. We are invited to the Åby Grand Prix, which is flattering, but the European Championships for mares and Margareta Wallenius-Klebergs Pokal are both in that same week. We have some options for her".
Any other starts planned for her?
"Now we got the Halmstad start coming up first, and if all goes well there we are talking about racing her in the Hugo Åberg Memorial at Jägersro on July 30. That's the plan as of now. Either way, she will get a start in between Saturday and that start, we will see when and where".
Speaking of the Gold Sprint; you won that race last year with Hell Bent For Am, who we haven't seen on the racetracks since August last year. Where is he nowadays?
"He is at swimming camp. Well, he has been training in France for a while now, and swimming is a part of that training. I have received some videos of him swimming and it looks good, we will see when he can return to racing," says Sabine Kagebrant.