V75® (Sunday): Powering his way back with full force
He is the three- and four-year-old star who has made is back.
The last few months, Power has returned to the big races and has looked like in his glory days.
Robert Bergh makes the trip to V75® at Bjerke with Power, who has never been better.
An extra V75® card brightens up this Sunday.
It comes to us from the Norwegian national arena Bjerke, in Oslo. The country's three- and four-year-old trotters are in the spotlight as the finals of both the Kriterium and the Derby in Norway are being contested.
Robert Bergh is also making the trip to Oslo. He brings 7 Power (V75-6), who is the only Swedish contender in Karsten Buers Minneslopp, for the older elite. The once very successful young star has made a magnificent return to the big scene this summer and has piled up solid efforts against the toughest possible opponents.
Power dominated as a three-year-old and won the Swedish Kriteium. As a four-year-old, he made to the final in both the Swedish Trotting Derby as well as the Breeders Crown (won by his stable mate at the time, Hail Mary), and later that fall he took home that big title, winning the Grand Prix de l'UET at Vincennes in Paris.
The two most recent seasons, as a five- and six-year-old, Power raced sporadically as he worked in the breeding shed. But this year, as a seven-year-old, he has powered his way back into the elite.
Is Power back where he should be now?
"Yes, and even better. He was good as a three- and four-year-old too and raced really well in Paris, but he was away from racing for a long time and it's not easy going right out against the elite, he never got eased into it. With that in mind, he has done really well and he has upped his game to another level" says trainer Robert Bergh.
Has he never been better than he is now?
"I have to say so. He is more of a complete racehorse now".
Has gone in the right direction
Power has been a frequent participant in the biggest races in Sweden these last few months.
A recap of his most recent starts gives us a smoking rally in Ulf Thoresen Grand International to finish second, a fifth place finish in Hugo Åbergs, a third place finish in Åby Stora Pris after have raced in the lead over three kilometers, and last time out he crossed the finish line unused in Sundsvall Open Trot.
"Yes, he did. I raced him in the lead in Åby Stora Pris, in the start prior where he raced huge and he was also locked in when he raced in Norway, the start before that. So, he has he has gotten some good trips".
So, you are going to Bjerke to win?
"That's always the plan with this horse. A bit of a bummer that he drew post 7, but he is so good now and he has even been better than we thought he would these last couple of months, he has really gone in the right direction".
Power will probably be the betting favorite?
"Yes, and as I said, it's a bummer with the post position so it depends on how we get out of the gate. But he is right there in every start and he should be in a race like this, too".
So, you will not take him off the gate in the start?
"You never know, but I think we have to try to leave for a position. It's a bit different when you start from the outside, but he doesn't need a certain scenario to be able to win this race".
Planning on a winter in France
Power has a soft spot for France, and especially for Vincennes.
In both 2020 and 2021, he started in Prix d'Amerique, without making any money.
Is another winter in France on his schedule?
"Yes, that's the plan. If he keeps looking as good as he is now, we will give it another try" says Robert.
You might try your luck in Prix d'Amerique and the races prior to it again?
"We will see. He has made quite a few starts at Vincennes, so he doesn't have to race there to get used to the track. It's not always a good thing, racing in all the B races either, so we will see how his race schedule will turn out".
But he really likes racing on that surface at Vincennes?
"He sure does. He has raced very well there. That's the thing with him here at home too, besides being very fast, these longer distances have been a good fit for him, it has been like a bonus for him also in Sweden".
What are the plans for the near future for Power?
"He will race in the Swedish Championships at Åby. Then we will think about how to proceed with him, going into the winter. He will need a break at some point, too".