V75® (Sunday): Hannibal Face makes his trainer dream
He won despite making a break in the qualifying leg. He then finished whistling fast despite starting from the worst possible post position in the final.
He closed out last year in a fantastic way. On Sunday, the first chapter of this year will be written in the story of Hannibal Face.
"Of course, with a horse like him you allow yourself to dream a little" says trainer Oscar Berglund.
Spring is in the air. Easter week is here. So is V75® Spring Race.
For the sixth consecutive year, there are four V75 cards in as many days during the Easter weekend. It all starts at Gävle on Maundy Thursday and culminates with a multi jackpot at Solvalla on Easter Sunday.
One of the most interesting participants on Sunday is without a doubt 3 Hannibal Face (V75-5).
The now six-year-old son of Bold Eagle started his career for trainer Adrian Kolgjini but was purchased last summer and came to the Oscar Berglund stable in Östersund. They started off with a win together and the success has continued.
Hannibal Face won three times in STL during last fall and winter and closed out the year impressively. Despite a costly break in the leg of the bronze division at Romme, he came back to win. A week later he also won the final after a powerful finish out wide, after starting from the worst post position.
"He had an awesome finish to his season during the second half of last year, after coming to us and doing everything right. He stepped on a little mine when he made breaks twice, but both times I had changed his equipment and shoeing. Other than that, he was fabulous and as I said, he closed out the year very impressively. A season that made us long for more in the future" says Oscar Berglund.
How has the winter been for Hannibal Face?
"It has been good. We put him away when he was in top form, there was nothing wrong with him. First, he got some vacation time and then we started training him when was sound and healthy which is always nice. After that, things have gone smoothly. He has trained all winter without any abruptions and he has felt very good. I am very pleased and I have waited to be able to enter him to a race again".
A kickoff for an exciting season
A brilliant end to last season. A winter with no issues.
Sure, but fifteen weeks have gone since Hannibal Face last raced. And the field in the silver division at Solvalla on Sunday is not an easy one.
"We can't expect him to come out in top form on Sunday, doesn't matter how much you train, you have to respect the fact that it's a seasonal debut. His form will not be at a hundred percent, but I think he is good enough in this field, as talented as he is. This is the first step of the season and we have the entire year ahead of us, so I don't have that high expectation on him here".
It is also his silver division debut, but maybe that does not bother this horse?
"No, we have to expect that from him. The conditions are good here, and so is the post position and I have no complaints. The horse gets a chance at least, to deliver right away".
He is entered barefoot behind this time.
"Yes, he's a bit pacy and when we have raced him like this, barefoot behind, it has worked out very well. I think that's how he performs best".
Do you have anything in particular planned for Hannibal Face this season?
"I have. But we would like to keep those plans to ourselves for now. He needs to come out and show some form first but of course, with a horse like him you allow yourself to dream a little".
Very tough race for Dwayne Zet
The Östersund licensed trainer brings one more horse to Solvalla on Sunday.
That is the warrior 8 Dwayne Zet (V75-7), who on Sunday steps into the lion's den. The seven-year-old Muscle Massive gelding comes out in the gold division, Rommeheatet, which is also the second qualifying leg to the Paralympic Trot. On top of that, he drew the outside post position behind the gate.
"He is in too tough here. He goes out in the gold division mostly because the owners are there and they want to see him, I don't think he has much of a chance in that race. I think he does well every time he races and he always does his best even if he doesn't win that often nowadays".
But you are hoping that he will grow into the gold division?
"We hope so. But you also need a good post position in this class. He didn't have that last time and he doesn't now either, so we have to lay low with him" says Oscar Berglund.