V86®: A sharp Marseille marching toward new victories
He made a break, got parked outside the leader but held on strongly.
This time, Stefan P Pettersson hopes for a win for the very sharp 4-year-old.
They year has been a bit slow for Stefan P Pettersson.
But lately, the Mantorp trainer has visited the country's winner's circles more frequently and he is hoping for a strong end to the season.
"It's been a slow year, even if we had some highlights like when we won the Filly Sprint Championship with Kitty Hawk. Last year was a bit more consistent but at the end of the season, we had some sick horses and it's been tough to shake off, especially for the older horses. But these last few months, the horses have finally started to deliver again, we have a good feeling and hope that it will continue," says Stefan.
Nobody needs to doubt the form 4 Marseille (V86-4) is in.
The gelding was heavily used on the tickets when he last raced in V75® at Jägersro. He made a break shortly after the start, and had to spend the rest of the race outside the leader. Despite that, Marseille held on brilliantly to finish third. He now hopes for quick revenge in V86 at Solvalla.
"All is great with him after his last start. He hasn't had much luck in his V75 starts; three starts ago at Örebro, he was run over and last time out, he was interfered with, which caused the break. The break itself doesn't worry me, it was a tight spot, but he got a tough trip after that and held on very strongly".
So, you can say that the horse is in top form?
"Yes, I think he is. He seems happy and alert in training, ears are up and he looks positive. He trains well and feels perfect”.
Looks good on paper
The Wednesday start for Marseille is in an apprentice race.
Just as at his impressive win at the same track two starts ago, the talented Johanna Lind does the driving. It looks promising from post four behind the gate over the short distance. Pettersson agrees.
"I think so. We drew well and Johanna is very good in these races. He should have a good chance if the trip works out. He can leave fast, he has taken steps there too, he wants to help and get into the race himself. If someone is really fast out of the gate, he might not get the lead, but on the other hand they might be willing to let my horse go. We will see, we hope to get to the lead, but he races well regardless of the trip".
Marseille has raced barefoot all around in his last six starts. Now everyone has to race with shoes. Is that a concern?
"He raced with shoes upfront for a long time so, he can handle that and it doesn't worry me at all. Of course, we would race him barefoot if we could, but it's the same rule for everyone and therefore, it's no problem," says Stefan P Pettersson.