V75®: The longshot horse could upset again
He has surprised the bettors two starts in a row and has won at high odds.
This Saturday, he could upset again.
"With a decent trip, I think he will end up battling for the win," says the trainer of the upset-minded horse going into the V75® start at Halmstad.
Things have come together nicely for 3 Too Cool Toulouse (V75-7). Two starts ago, the Kalmar-trained horse impressed when he crushed his opponents after a parked out trip, and last time out in a V75® race, he sprinted from to an easy upset win after a perfect pocket trip.
"He has been really good! His effort at Åby two starts ago was rock solid. He raced against some good horses that day, and in his most recent start, he got a good trip, but he also won without being tired," says trainer Dan Ottosson, who felt that his horse had a lot of ability, early on.
"I have sort of felt it since he started racing. He won two races, but then the problems started. It's been tough to keep him sound and it's not until now that we have been able to train him in between starts and that he can make a few starts without needing time off. With that, his form has also gotten better."
Is there something in particular that you have been able to figure out?
"It's been small issues, and we have treated him upfront, but then we found out that it all came from an ankle behind. It was hard to find, but after we treated him there, things have been good. That's the big reason for his blossoming, that he is sound and can train continuously."
Continued form and a good post
When Too Cool Toulouse upset won in V75 three weeks ago at home at Kalmar, it was in the bottom class of the Swedish Trotting League, class 3. He is now in class two, and with lifetime earnings of SEK 298,900, he fits the class perfectly, as it is closed at SEK 300,000.
"On paper, I don't think there is anyone he cannot beat. My horse can leave, and he races just as well from behind as in the lead, if that's the case. But that's up to Victor (Rosleff), how he wants to race him. That's what he gets paid for," says Dan Ottosson with a laugh.
And the horse's form is still just as good?
"It would surprise me if it isn't. We treated him after his last start, though. It was not the hind ankle this time. He showed a little bit on an ankle upfront. But he didn't miss much training, and after that, we have trained him as usual, so it shouldn't make a difference."
You choose to race him with shoes, even though racing barefoot is allowed again starting Saturday, March 1.
"He has raced barefoot a time or two before, and maybe it gave a small effect, but he has raced with aluminum shoes all around at these two wins, and it has worked out well, so we will race him like that again."
The bettors have not been onboard in his last two starts. What can you tell them about this start?
"It's an even race, and he was lucky in the draw. From post three, he should be able to find a spot near the front. With a decent trip, I think he will battle for the win again."