V86 (jackpot): Crebas' long-distance specialist on 3,600 meters
Hans Crebas makes the trip to Vaggeryd on Wednesday for the extreme long-distance race Smålandsstayern, over 3,600 meters.
"We have aimed at this race for a pretty long time" says the Axevalla trainer.
Vaggeryd Racetrack, just south of the city of Jönköping, is the next stop on the STL Summer tour with V86. Besides four different STL legs including the bronze division, the track also races the extreme long-distance race Smålandsstayern over 3,600 meters.
A distance that is 500 meters longer than the country’s most prestigious long-distance race Harper Hanovers race at Solvalla.
Back in March, Bransbys Juke Box won a three-kilometer race at the Norwegian track Momarken where Ble du Gers had to see himself defeated after trotting on the outside.
A year ago, at the midsummer weekend, the horse won Kalmarsundsstayern on V75 at Kalmar.
"He has done many good races in his career, but to hold off Ble du Gers on a very deep and sloppy Momarken track was an amazing feeling. That's also his biggest victory if you look at the purse money" says Crebas.
On Wednesday, the ten-year-old gelding once again comes out in a long-distance race –something the horse has shown to like best.
The Vaggeryd racetrack is 1,004 meters, so they race over these odd distances that you will see Wednesday night.
Four extra meters each lap compared to a regular track in Sweden. The starting distance in Smålandsstayern (V86-7) is therefore 3,654 meters.
Hans Crebas is on a mini vacation at Skara Sommarland when we reach him. His son, Sven who has been on his father's lap in the winner circles, is playing in the water.
"I am bringing two horses on Wednesday but Bransbys Juke Box is my big chance of winning a race that evening. I think 12 Versace Face, starting at the same distance as us should be the favorite, and a horse like 5 Eagle Rock will also be a dangerous threat. Lugauer's horses are always strong and good. I think he should be able to finish top four here. Bransbys should definitely go on the V86 ticket" says Crebas.
"Feels like he's in top form"
After the V75 victory at Momarken, he has a third place and a fourth place in three starts. The horse was interfered with when he made a break in the three-kilometer race in Eskilstuna at the end of May.
"He's in very good form. Last time out, I would have loved to race him in the lead. Flemming Jensen let me go and that was perfect with 2 kilometers to go. When Bo Westergaard came so hard at me with Kilimanjaro, I just had to let him go. It was a fast finish to the race at Åby and it feels like he’s in top form".
Bransbys Juke Box has won both from behind and from the lead. Is he best in the lead?
"No, he is both strong and quick, so the trip doesn't matter to him. Of course, not first up in a tough race like this. He has gotten so versatile; he can do it all now. So, the trip doesn't really matter, even if he is very hard to beat in the lead. He has won most of the times when he has been in the lead going into the final lap, but he probably won't get there this time" says Hans Crebas.
So, what is your plan from that 40-meter handicap?
"You never know how the race unfolds, but trying to get to the lead from that far back is not really my plan. The race is 3,600 meters and you have to save the speed...tactics are a bit tricky in these longer races. It's fun both for us drivers and for the bettors to figure it out. But I know my horse will race very well".
You also bring 10 Ben Hogan (V86-6) who is starting from the second tier over 2,650 meters with horses all around him and also behind him, with a 20-meter handicap. How will that go?
"Yes, that's a terrible spot to start from. He's a very nice horse who is coming along more and more, he always gets a check and races well. I didn't think this race would turn out this tough with both Henriksen's 12 Make It Schermer and Nordström's 14 Spartakus starting 20 meters behind us. No, if he gets a check again from that spot, then he has done well".
Footnote: All eight races on V86 are raced at Vaggeryd, post time for V86 is 19:20.