V86®: Conrad Lugauer seeks revenge
In his last two starts, he was locked in.
On Wednesday, Golden Sunrise is looking for a win in the Kriterierevanchen.
"Despite the post position, I hope we can battle for the win," says Conrad Lugauer.
A year and a half have passed since Conrad Lugauer left his farm in Everlöf, in the southern parts of Sweden to be a trainer at Menhammars training center Yttersta on Ekerö, just outside Stockholm.
"It has been very intense and exciting at the same time. You have to learn how to best train at this farm, it's a different type of organization and new people. It all takes time and it's also a fantastic possibility and farm to be at," says Conrad Lugauer.
For the most part, Lugauer had a big stable of around 100 horses in southern Sweden, and at Menhammar the stable is pretty full.
"We have mostly young horses here and it looks exciting for the future and of course, we want to race in the stake races. They are nice individuals with good pedigree and talent. We have 25 racehorses that are three years old and older. Horses like Ferrari Sisu and Night Brodde are good for the stable and they will race as long as they want to and can deliver at a good level".
Not tired in the Kriterium
The V86® card this Wednesday is split between Solvalla and Bjerke, Norway. Solvalla offers the Oaksrevanschen for the 3-year-old fillies and the Kriterierevanschen for the 3-year-old colts and geldings, each division with SEK 200,000 to the winner.
In the Kriterierevanschen, Conrad Lugauer races 11 Golden Sunrise (V86-8), a colt he likes.
"He's a wonderful individual in every way. He always does his best and loves his job. The horse has improved a lot these last few months. He qualified for the Kriterium final, where he didn't really get the chance and wasn't tired when he crossed the finish line".
After that start, we aimed for the Breeders Crown semifinals, but had no luck and Golden Sunrise didn't get the chance there either. Once he got out, it was too late. He closed fast and had lots left in his tank".
"My colt feels excellent in training and I think he will race very well on Wednesday. The post position is not good and in these even fields, the trip is usually a deciding factor. With some racing luck, I'm not a stranger to the thought of us being able to win the race".
"Considering what he has shown, there is every reason to look forward to next year when I hope we have a horse for the Derby. That's what we aim for, at least".
Suitable conditions
Golden Sunrise is not the only chance of winning that Conrad Lugauer has on Wednesday night.
"I was Pleased with 3 Jade Sisu (V86-2) in her last start and she just got tired the last 100 meters. She hadn't raced for a couple of months before that and she felt great. She was well prepared going into that race and I expected a good effort. That start should do her well and I think she will be even better for this start. These are suitable conditions for her and I have no changes planned".
The Lugauer stable has one more starter on the V86 card. In Kentucky Fibbers lopp, 3 Declan (V86-6) comes out.
"He is in excellent form and races well every time. This time he's in tough but it's a handicap and the post position is good. There are a couple of good ones in here that are used to racing against Gold division horses pretty much in every start and they drew decent posts. Jennie Ek takes care of the horse and she drives well and has had success with Declan earlier".