V8® (jackpot): A Dutchman in the spotlight
The Dutch trainer Paul Hagoort is being seen at Swedish racetracks more frequently.
As V86® this Wednesday is split between Solvalla and Åby, he has hot chances to win at both tracks.
"We might not win four races, but should we win one, or two, then we will be pleased".
His headquarters are in the Netherlands, close to the biggest racetrack in the country, Victoria Park Wolwega.
But Paul Hagoort has, as it is called, all of Europe as his workplace. The trainer now has a Swedish stable, at Julmyra Horse Center and his horses are racing more frequently at the Swedish tracks, often with Robin Bakker at the reins.
As the Wednesday V86 card is split between Solvalla and Åby, Team Hagoort has exciting starters at both tracks. Three at Solvalla, one at Åby.
We had a chat with the trainer and went through his starters in chronological order.
In a leg of the Solvallaserien, we get to see 9 Elita Indal (V86-2) again—a 4-year-old mare who seems to love the Swedish soil. Three starts have resulted in three mighty impressive wins, her last win was in a class 2 V75 race at Åby.
"She hasn't done much wrong so far in her Swedish starts, she's a real nice mare. She raced against the best we have at home in Holland last year, hence her finishing third, and fourth many times, but now she races in the right class and it works out well. We drew in the second tier this time, but I don't see that being much of a problem for her, she can race with any trip and is very speedy", says Paul.
The year younger 10 Ogene Bros (V86-4) has gotten a terrific start to her racing career.
Three starts have resulted in two wins and one second place, beaten only by Timo Nurmos´ undefeated talent Pralines.
"Ogene Bros was great at her last win at Lindesberg and two starts ago at Solvalla, she lost to a horse I thought was very good. She's a nice filly, she might be a bit big and will need some time, but she's developing nicely. She raced in the lead in her last start and even though she drew in the second tier this time, I think it's an advantage for her, I think she's better racing from behind".
Ogene Bros is Swedish-born, what are the plans for her going forward?
"She is paid into all the big races, such as the Oaks and the Breeders Crown. We will see how she develops; we might try her there if we feel that she's good enough, if not we will keep racing her in regular overnights".
Aiming for the Italian Derby
9 Feldenkrais Pal (V86-5) has only made nine starts but has still made a name for himself.
The 3-year-old colt finished second in the Breeders Course final at Solvalla during the Elitlopp weekend and then went on to win the Gran Premio Nazionale in Torino, Italy. Last time out, he finished second to Far Wise As in the Premio Going Kronos, also the second Breeders Course final, at Jägersro.
On Wednesday, he starts in the Count's Pride Pokalen at Åby.
"Feldenkrais Pal is in top form and he has done most things right, so far. He closed well in his last start and that's his best quality. He does not leave very fast but always closes well and I think we will be in the photo here too".
He is Italian-born and owned. Meaning, he has bigger races ahead of him this fall?
"Yes, we are getting him ready for the Italian Derby. He is already qualified, so that is the biggest goal of the year for him. He will make this start and maybe one more in a couple of weeks in Sweden, then he will ship back home to the Netherlands before we make the trip to Italy".
Lastly; 2 Emma Jet (V86-8) who we saw win in V75 here earlier for Michel F Rothengatter, now makes her first start for you. What are your thoughts on her?
"She feels like a good mare, from what I have felt in training. She made it up to a high class in the Netherlands, so the owners wanted to send her to Sweden, to race in a more suitable class. My feeling says that she is well prepared for this start and she drew a perfect post position, so we will see how far that takes her".
It looks like you could have an exciting Wednesday evening.
"Yes, all my starters are in good form. We might not win four races, but it could be one, or two wins, and if the other ones make good money we will be pleased", says Paul Hagoort.