V86®: Can Liljendahl keep his good numbers up?
Reijo Liljendahl's horses win every third start they make.
On Wednesday, he sends out three starters on V86®; statistically, one wins.
"I hope so. They feel good and I expect good efforts" says the Solvalla trainer.
Few starts, but they are of high quality. The Reijo Liljendahl stable has won 26 out of 96 starts this year. A strong result because he only has around ten racehorses in the stable.
"We are pleased and we have several nice horses in the stable. They have raced well and delivered, which we are very grateful for, and we hope it continues" says Reijo.
This season is coming to an end and the Liljendahl stable is stacked for next year.
"Several of my better horses are done racing for the year and are getting prepped for next year. We have some nice 2-year-olds and we have also gotten a few new, exciting horses in training. We hope that we will keep this going next year too".
Reijo does not only have interests in the Swedish racing business. For many years he has bought horses at the yearling sales in the United States, horses that have been left in training with trainer Marcus Melander.
"We have a very good business relationship with the Melander family. They are very good at what they do and I feel comfortable leaving horses with them. I usually go over there a few times a year and it's just as interesting and exciting every time. They are fantastic horses to work with".
"The horses we have had in the states have done very well. Heaven Hanover won the Hambletonian Oaks and there are others that have delivered, and things look good for next year".
Good for his class
This Wednesday, V86 is split between Solvalla and Bjerke. Reijo Liljendahl sends out three starters.
"All three horses feel good in training and my feeling is that they will also race well. At the same time, we're at the end of the season and the form can vary from week to week in the fall".
Reijo's first starter is 6 Tom's Got Drive (V86-6), who made a break in his last start.
"They were going very fast into the first turn and he lost hold of the track and that combination made him make a break. He felt good before the race and still does, after that start. I will make sure that he has more grip this time, but the shoeing is hard to decide before I know what the track looks like on Wednesday, as the weather is changing a lot now".
How do you like Tom's Got Drive as a horse?
"I think he is good for his class; he has a decent post position and he can leave fast. I think he should have a chance to win even if I don't know all the opponents".
In the last V86 leg, you have two starters. How would you assess their chances?
"1 Ringo Adore (V86-8) was OK in his last start, but he got a bit steppy late. I think he got foot sore and therefore, he will most likely race with shoes this time, but I will decide on the day of the race. But he has raced well with shoes before. My horse feels good in training and he is good, which he has proven several times".
Can he hold up the lead from the inside post?
"He is average out of the gate and there's a risk of him getting locked in. The driver has to try to leave as fast as he can and if it works out, he can win".
"10 Pure Muscles (V86-8) has raced well from behind two starts in a row. Before that, he raced best in or near the lead. In his last start, he had no luck as he got a tired horse in front of him, but he closed well. He feels great and his form is good. If the race is overpaced, he could upset, but I see him as a longshot here".