V86®: Gundersen wants to tie the Derby king's record
Geir Vegard Gundersen has won the Norwegian Trotting Derby nine times before.
He is now chasing Gunnar Eggen's record of ten victories – and he has several hot chances when the Derby eliminations are being contested at Bjerke Racetrack, in Oslo, Norway.
"Just Like Heaven is my best chance and my biggest hope for the Derby", says Gundersen about the horse that won the Norwegian Kriterium last year.
Bjerke and Solvalla co-host V86® Xpress on Wednesday and at the Norwegian capital track, it is an exciting night for many. It is time for the Norwegian Derby eliminations, where the top four finishers from each elimination go through to the final on September 8.
Two main characters among the trainers and drivers are Geir Vegard Gundersen and his son Magnus Teien Gundersen. Geir Vegard can proudly say that he has trained nine Norwegian Derby winners.
"Per Ulven and I have won the Derby nine times each as trainers. Gunnar Eggen won ten times, so I hope we can tie that record this year", says Geir Vegard Gundersen, licensed as a trainer at Bjerke and trains 25 horses at the farm in Nittedal, twenty kilometers from Oslo.
In 2018-2021, the Derby specialist won the biggest race for 4-year-olds, four years in a row. After two winless Derby finals, Gundersen thinks it is time to visit the winner's circle again.
"We have some very nice and good horses that could end up battling for the win in the Derby. My biggest hope is without a doubt Just Like Heaven, and after that it is Charron", he says before we start going over his V86 starters on Wednesday. All of Gundersen's starters, split between father and son, are in the Norwegian Derby eliminations.
"2 Shahjahan T.H. (V86-1) races well each time and was good when he finished second last time out. He is quick out of the gate and could take the lead. Then we will see if I race him there or not. He has won several races and is fighting for a top three spot again".
"10 Mozart B.R (V86-1) has also raced well this year and has four wins in eight starts. He won his most recent start and even if most of his wins are from the lead, he races well from behind too. He's a strong and nice horse and he too is fighting for a top three spot. I think both my horses in this race have a bit of a chance to win", says Geir Vegard.
Won the Norwegian Sprint Championship - my second-best chance
"1 Charron (V86-5) is my second-best chance in V86 and also my second-biggest Derby hope. He was very good when he won the Norwegian Sprint Championship last time out and raced very well in Jarlsberg in 1:11.5. We have aimed for the Derby after that and he looks great in training. He is fast out of the gate and the long distance is no problem".
"8 Macbeth B.R. (V86-5) also came up huge after a first over trip last time out, and he is in good form. Post position eight is tough and we have to race him from behind and hope for a fast pace up front. Then, he might be able to make it to the Derby".
"2 Kjella (V86-7) races well each time and is consistent. He has a good post position and can leave fast. I think he will finish top three".
"10 Just Like Heaven (V86-7) won the Kriterium last year and has been my best 4-year-old. He made his first break ever, last time out, in the Sprint Championship, when he got a bit too eager to go. Normally, he is safe and he feels good in training going into this start, and this is what we have aimed for all year. We have made sure we have him ready and this is a fantastic horse, who most of all is very strong. Post position ten is OK, he gets to start nice and easy and can make a move later. I think this is my best chance, all night", says Geir Vegard Gundesen.