V75® (Saturday): "One of the most talented horses I have trained – feels great"
He was the king of the 2-year-olds last year, when he won both Svensk Uppfödningslöpning as well as the Breeders Crown.
After winning his last start easily, Fiftyfour now has to take on Gocciadoro's winning machine Expo Wise As in this Saturday's E3 final, over the short distance.
"He is one of the most talented horses I have trained. From that post position we need luck to win" says trainer Tomas Malmqvist.
This Saturday, the short E3 finals with SEK 1 million to the winner in each division over the sprint distance will be raced. In the division for colts and geldings, the scene is set for a heavyweight matchup. With Alessandro Gocciadoro and Expo Wise As in one corner, who won the last E3 final over the middle distance and comes into this start with seven consecutive wins. In the other corner, we have Fiftyfour, who was voted 2-year-old of the year in Sweden last year after his big wins. One of them was the classic Svensk Uppfödningslöpning – a race the super talent won impressively. After having closed out last year with a Breeders Crown victory, the horse got a couple of months of turnout time. He then resumed training and preparing for his 3-year-old season, but was scratched for tying up out of the E3 eliminations back in the middle of June. His seasonal debut was postponed for a month, and from post position twelve, Fiftyfour closed well to finish fourth.
Last time out, he was back to his winning ways again when he won a sprint race at Tingsryd very easily, in 1:12.3 in a one mile race.
"9 Fiftyfour (V75-3) was good in his last start, and he raced very well in the start prior, as well. I have been very pleased with him in both starts and even if the win last time out didn't say much, he trotted home in 1:04 speed the last 200 meters. He won very easily and was not tired" says Tomas Malmqvist.
"He trained today (Monday) and felt very loose and smooth. I can tell that the horse has woken up with these two starts. I think he is ready for a very good effort this Saturday".
"One of the best horses in the field"
Fiftyfour starts from post nine in the E3 final, while his toughest opponent Expo Wise As starts from post one over the short distance.
"Just looking at the horses. I know I have one of the best horses in the field. The not so good thing is the post position. Normally, it will be tough to make up those lengths on Gocciadoro's horse, even if my horse feels great. But everything can happen in a race and I don't know how fast he can leave from the inside post".
"My horse is good enough to win the race, but for that to happen we need a lot of luck from his post position in the second tier. It will be tough if he gets the lead, just as it would have been tough for him, had the post positions been the opposite".
You have trained many top trotters over the years, how does Fiftyfour measure up against them?
"He is of course one of the most talented horses I have trained. He had a terrific season last year as a 2-year-old and it feels like he has found another level this year. It will be very exciting to follow him going forward" says Tomas Malmqvist, who also had a lot of success with the dame of Fiftyfour, Backfire, who he trained to victory in The Queen's trophy and Breeders Crown.
Any changes on Fiftyfour for Saturday?
"No, I will wait with changing anything. He still races on training shoes and a regular bridle and he has important races coming up this fall, maybe we will make some changes then".
Still leads all trainers with SEK 18.6 million in earnings
Tomas Malmqvist has had a very strong year and he is the leading trainer in Sweden with SEK 18.6 million in earnings so far this year. He has had a lot of success in France, where most of his horses are, and he travels back and forth between France and Sweden.
"I try to be in France for three weeks and then I spend one week in Sweden" says the Jägersro licensed trainer about how he divides his time between the two stables.
"It's been a good year and I can't complain. But there are always a lot of little details that could have been better. I actually think we have had a lot of unlucky bounces in the bigger races, even if the results are very good. That's just how I feel" says Tomas Malmqvist.