V75®: Triton continues on his wave of success

He has already won V75® twice this year.
As a 9-year-old, Triton is in the form of his life – now they take a new aim.
"I'm surprised that he has progressed as much as he has this past winter," says the trainer.

A 9-year-old gelding – but better than ever. 
8 Triton (V75-3) has made an impact on the racetracks in the last few months and has been a frequent visitor to the winner circles, not least in V75. He has two STL wins so far this year, the most recent one during the Easter weekend at Romme when the horse just sprinted to victory from the lead.
The fan favorites Triton and Mats Gunnarsson are giving it another try in the premier league of Swedish trotting racing. 
"Yes, we have to try again. I was very pleased with how things worked out in his last start, now there is more time in between starts than when he has raced at his best and he got some down time after his last start," says Mats and adds:
"I was out of the country for a week, so he took it easy there, but it was all according to plan". 
As of early December, he has made 11 starts. Six of them have been victorious. Add a second place, a third, and one start where Triton was disqualified when he finished second, then you understand that the form has been good for quite some time. 
This Saturday, as V75 goes to Jägersro, he races in the Silver division. 
"We drew poorly this time, not to use that as an excuse, but that lowers my hopes a bit and we had to build up his feet behind also. I don't think he has raced as well when we have done that in the past. For his last start, we had a minimum of material added to his hooves. Keep those two things in mind, other than that, I think his form is still as good as before," says the trainer and continues:
"He has also had some pollen allergy issues before, it will be more and more the longer into the season we get, but we haven't seen anything on him so far this year. That's also part of why we want to race him again, if not, his last start might have been his last for a while. But we haven't noticed anything so far, no coughing or anything, so it seems good". 

Likes frequent starts
Starting from the outside post behind the gate is, of course, worrying.
But, last time out, the gelding showed that he could leave fast. 
"Yes, I have fired him out of the gate before at some point but then he had shoes upfront. I didn't know that he would be just as quick without shoes, he was almost quicker than I thought. But we won't do that this time, I don't think so. It feels like there are many quick horses to our inside and I don't want to risk being parked".
But, Triton is also a quick closer, correct?
"Exactly. It's easier to get a horse to leave fast than to close fast. So we aim at racing him from behind this time, an easier trip, and then we will see how it works out". 
Considering how he has performed lately you have to be somewhat optimistic anyway? 
"He raced well indeed and I think he will be just as good again, I'm just not sure of his form when it's been a few weeks in between starts now. But he has been great and I'm pleased with how he feels".
And now his regular driver is back?
"Yes, I was suspended last time he raced, but Erik Adielsson was very happy with him and I was pleased with the driver. No complaints, but I like to drive him myself, except if he would race in a bigger race or if there's anything that makes me feel that someone else would be a better fit".  
He is already qualified for the STL final at the Elitlopp weekend. What does his racing schedule look like, going forward?
"If he races well this week, I think I will race him again at Örebro next week. I think he is best when he races back-to-back weeks, when it's seven to nine days in between starts he's been at his best. The plan is to take it one start at a time and see how he is". 

Gets the best possible treatment
Triton is the only horse that Mats Gunnarsson trains. 
But the Solvalla licensed amateur trainer is highly involved in the business daily. Mats works as an equine physiotherapist and works for many trainers, treating horses by using chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage. 
The question is, how much of that does Triton get?
"I would say he has gotten his fair share of treatments. Especially as a post-race routine, and I would say that's what makes him come out of each start so well and makes him able to race more frequently with less wear and tear. So he gets quite a lot of treatment, I would say. At the same time he is nine years old now, he has gotten older and his body has stabilized. He has gotten stronger and can handle the frequent starts much better". 
So, you can say that the horse has, despite his age, some progress left within himself?
"Yes, I think he is good already now, but it's hard to say. I'm a bit surprised that he has progressed as much as he has this past winter, but he has stayed sound and has raced frequently and racing also makes a horse progress. I am incredibly pleased with what he has done this past winter and happy that he has been able to show how good he is, everything else is just icing on the cake".

---