V75® (Sunday): Optimism from camp Joviality going into the Oslo Grand Prix
Joviality ran into traffic trouble in her Elitlopp elimination and did not make the final.
On Sunday, the supermare is one of the favorites to win the Oslo Grand Prix.
"She didn't have to go all out at Solvalla and I'm making the trip to Norway with a mare who feels great," says Sabine Kagebrandt, who is also pondering an interesting equipment change.
Two weeks ago, the Solvalla licensed trainer Sabine Kagebrandt had no luck in Elitloppet at Solvalla. The second over trip became a trap. Joviality had to wait until the last 100 meters for a free path and even if she sprinted fast, it was not enough to make the final. Önas Prince got that last final spot and Stall Courant's super mare had to settle for fifth.
Eliminated from Elitloppet. But Sabine Kagebrandt felt beaten down only for a short moment.
"Erik had to grab up to get out with her and be able to sprint home but she couldn't quite catch them. You'll need racing luck to succeed in these races. Unfortunately, we didn't have any. She felt great and that's the most important thing," says the trainer.
The following Wednesday, Kagebrandt trained Joviality. After that, the connections accepted the invitation to the biggest race in Norway, the Oslo Grand Prix.
"I trained her and she felt great. Once we knew all was good with her, we accepted the invitation".
Erik to the front?
For the mare who beat the colts in the U.S. stakes, moved to Sweden and beat the boys again in the Swedish Trotting Derby, and finished third in Prix d'Amerique this past January, the distance of 2,100 meters suits her very well.
Erik Adielsson drew post position four with the lightning-fast mare. From that post position, they should be interested in getting to the lead.
"I always let Erik decide the tactics. But this time I can imagine he wants her in the lead," says Kagebrandt.
"You don't play around with these horses"
Adrian Kolgjini drew post position seven with Barack Face, who recently won the Copenhagen Cup and looked brilliant.
Oslo Grand Prix is a star-studded field, a high-class and wide-open race.
"We will see, but I think she will stay overnight there, but that's no problem. There are some very good horses in the races that you don't play around with. Of course, I have a good feeling, when she is as good as she is. I'm coming with a horse who feels great and who I hope will be in great form," says Sabine Kagebrandt.
Pondering an equipment change
In Elitloppet, Joviality raced barefoot only upfront and the plan was to pull the hind shoes if she made it to the final. On Sunday she will race barefoot all around.
"She will also have the pullout earplugs again. I'm also pondering a bridle change. She races with an open-eye blind bridle, but I might change it to a regular blind on Sunday. She raced with that bridle for pretty much all her life, except when she got a bit too aggressive and we changed it," says Sabine Kagebrandt.
You sound optimistic.
"We are. But they are live animals, everyone knows how it is. It will be nice to go to the Oslo Grand Prix".
Footnote: Sunday is Bjerke's biggest race day of the year and they are saving Oslo Grand Prix to last. Please note that post time for the first V75 leg on Sunday is 15:00.