V86®: Count on Oskar in Åmål
Summer is approaching and a sign of that is that V86 goes on tour.
The 800-meter track in Åmål is the first stop and Oskar J Andersson makes the trip with three horses.
"I think all three are in such good form that they all have a chance to win" says the Romme trainer.
V86-Express takes a break over the summer and the races are being held at one track every week, instead of being split. The first stop is the 800-meter track in Åmål where Oskar has driven quite a bit and knows what it takes.
"It's a huge advantage getting involved early, preferably sitting in the lead The best post positions behind the gate are four, five and six. If you start from those positions you get a good kick out of the gate. Post position one isn't as good there as on a 1000-meter track" he says.
Oskar J Andersson decided early that he would be involved in horse racing. After having worked for Jörgen Westholm for several years he decided to go on his own two years ago.
"It feels very good and I'm happy with the results so far and we as a team progress constantly" When my parents bought the farm we train at, the dream was to fill it up with horses and have a solid business and it's nice to have done that. It's also important to have good people around you and satisfied clients".
The stable has a win percentage of over 20 and today he trains over 50 horses.
"I'm happy with that number and it's a mix of racehorses and younger horses. They all have an individual training schedule and my basic concept is to make them strong horses. We train them slowly in the pressure cart and we do a lot of interval training. We also have the option to swim the horses and we ride them quite a bit".
Taking care of the owners
Oskar is optimistic about the future and he constantly works on becoming better.
"You live and learn in this business. You have to keep up and be curious and not sit back and be content. Something I think about a lot and that I'm trying to develop is how to take care of the owners. Finding new owners is a challenge and I have several ideas that I hope will become reality".
Good feeling about V86
It's a jam-packed calendar for Andersson and on Wednesday the trip goes to Åmål.
"I have a good feeling that all three will do really well" Oskar says and provides the following information:
"4 Listas Behindbars (V86-1) is in very good form and she is better than the program says. She has had some bad racing luck and been locked in several times and in her last start, she crossed the finish line without being used at all. She leaves fast and likes the front end, but she has also won parked outside when in good form like she is now. She has a good post position for Åmål and she will get an aggressive drive. I think Listas Behindbars should have a chance regardless of the trip".
"13 Tåga Viktor (V86-5) has made breaks lately and it hasn't really worked out for him. He has made breaks in four straight starts now and would have probably won two of them, had he just stayed flat. So there's nothing wrong with his form. We are doing some fine-tuning and he feels good in training. He has enough speed to be able to win the race if he minds his manners and with some racing luck he could be the dark horse in this race".
"6 M.T. On Target (V86-6) won easily in his last start without being tired and I never pulled the earplugs. He's a capable horse who has had his share of issues. We almost gave up on him but Paula (Oskar's wife) won't let him go and this past winter we have been able to train him the way we wanted. M.T. On Target is both strong and fast and I hope he could be a horse for V75 when he gets some more experience. He was too sharp in his last start and almost made a break shortly after the start so I will change his bridle for his start from a blind bridle to a pull-down. The post position is good for him and I've tried him behind the gate before and he is pretty quick. I think M.T. On Target should have a chance to win" says Oskar.