V86®: Hoffman ready for the Gotland trot fest
Once a year, the Visby Racetrack is in the big spotlight. When V86® comes to the track, there is a big trot fest on the island of Gotland.
But the guests from the mainland have to look out. The leading trainer on the island, Henrik Hoffman is ready to take them on.
STL Summer Trot rolls along and the V86® menu this week comes from Visby.
The racetrack Skrubbs arranges its biggest race day of the year, attracting a lot of interest from trainers all over Sweden, who will take the ferry to the island. Someone who does not have to travel across the water to the city of roses and ruins is Henrik Hoffman. He is one of four professional trainers at Skrubbs and he has also been the track's leading trainer for the past four years.
He sends out six horses on V86 this Wednesday.
Already in the first leg, Hoffman sends out his first starter. 1 Mistelns Napoleon (V86-1) delivered a rock solid effort two starts ago when he won in 1:11.5. This time, the competition is a lot tougher, as this is a leg of the bronze division in STL.
"He was very good two starts ago, heroic rather. Last time out, he didn't make it to the lead and he got tired. Racing in the lead is a big advantage for him. He feels great in training after that last start and the post position is the best possible for him, as he follows the car. He is in a lot tougher this time, but he is capable when he is sound. He will be raced in the lead, he's in good form, but to win will be tough against these horses, but he could make some good money" says Henrik.
The younger brother 8 Mistelns Famous (V86-2) represents the Hoffman stable in the next leg.
He has raced well at his home track lately, but the draw was not as fortunate for him.
"He is also a pretty good horse, but he has been inconsistent earlier, made a lot of breaks and such. But it seems like he has become more stable lately. Of course, the post position is terrible, but he can leave pretty well and hopefully, he can find a spot somewhere and get a decent trip. If he can, and with some luck, it's not impossible that he can end up battling for the win, that's how good his form is".
Has felt fantastic after his last start
In the four-year-old race Erik Cederqvists Minneslopp, Hoffman has 12 Super Zola (V86-5). The mare raced well last year but hasn't been as successful this year.
"Super Zola did really well last year, she raced super in pretty much every start. She has raced well this year too but hasn't found that top form yet. We are searching for it, so to speak. We have played it safe so far this year when it comes to shoeing, but this time she will race barefoot all around and also with a pull-down bridle. We are trying to find an extra gear, but there are many good horses in the race and it will be tough to beat them all".
In the Class 1 leg, we find the most interesting horse from the Hoffman stable this evening.
5 Magic Sea (V86-6) is sporting a three-race win streak. The last two are for trainer Henrik Hoffman.
"Yes, Magic Sea has won both starts he has made for me and he has been very good in these two starts. He seems to love it here on Gotland. He feels great after his last start, so it will be very interesting to take on these horses, the type of opponents he is not used to".
How does he measure up against those horses?
"Considering the great form he is in now and the fact that it's at his home track, I think it will be very interesting. He needs luck, but I think he can leave pretty well, and post five is good. If he could get a good trip and save his speed until the stretch, I actually think he could have a chance to win".
A perfect post position – the one we wished for
The Italian-born 8 Amacord L.G. (V86-7) is the trainer's contribution to the long distance race Ringmurens lopp. Just as he was last year.
"He is up and down in his performances, I have to say. He has been a bit flat in his last two starts, but we don't really know why. Maybe the trip to Kalmar took the edge off him, it was incredibly hot that day. Last time out, he never got in the race. We had high hopes for this horse when he raced in this race a year ago, but then he made a break at the start. He is strong and usually safe, but this is a tough race and it would have been tough for him to win even if he was in top form. We are hoping that he will find his form again and he is just racing for a check here".
The last horse out on V86 from the Hoffman stable is 1 Ed Sheeran (V86-8) in the Class 2 leg.
The gelding comes off a win and drew the inside post. It looks pretty good on paper?
"Yes, he won his last start and finished second before that, which was in a long distance race so we know he can handle that. He's in good form and drew a perfect post – the one we wished for. I have my horse in the best possible form, but it's the same thing here, with so many good horses in the race it will be tough to win. If he would get a perfect trip, he might hit the board".
So racing him in the lead here is not an option?
"No, I don't think so. If this was a regular race here in Visby, I would say that he takes the lead and won't let anyone go, but these are much better horses and we will give him a nice trip here".
So, who would you say is your best chance on the V86 card?
"I don't think I have a very hot chance to win, but Magic Sea is the best chance I have".