V86®: Staro Raili is Sofia's hope in the stake races
Sofia Aronsson has Stochampionatet at her home track in aim.
Staro Raili has already shown she can go with the best 4-year-old mares.
But first, she faces a tough field in Prix Diana Zet as Solvalla offers a first-class V86® card.
STL Summer is touring Sweden and on Wednesday it makes a stop in the capital itself.
A race night with a top quality V86® card at Solvalla with the sixth edition of Prix Readly Express as the feature.
The 4-year-old mares have their own battle – Prix Diana Zet which also has attracted a strong field.
This is where 9 Staro Raili (V86-3) makes her next start. The mare from the Sofia Aronsson stable has gone from strength to strength so far in her career. The daughter of Maharajah comes off an easy win from the lead in the second test for Stochampionatet. Two starts ago, she raced in the final of the Queen's Trophy and this past winter she won a leg of Margaretas Tidiga Unghästserie.
"All is well with her; we are pleased with everything. I was delighted with her last time out, even if she got to set the fractions she did well and we got the answer we wanted, considering the tough trip she got in the Queen's Trophy. It was nice to see that she had come out of that so well and got even better after that start," says Sofia.
Do you think that she has reached another level with that start in her legs?
"I don't know, she has been good all along and raced well in each start, so I don't feel that she is in better form, she feels just as good as before".
One can assume that the Stochampionat eliminations at home is next for her?
"Exactly, she's such a nice mare and we just have to maintain her form and race her smart. That's the goal for her, after this start, since she managed 2,640 meters so well last time out, it feels like she can go with them anywhere," says the Axevalla trainer.
Should be considered despite the tough field
Stochampionatet is coming up, as mentioned.
But first, Prix Diana Zet on Wednesday with SEK 400,000 to the winner. A race that has attracted several other Stochampionatet hopefuls; Timo Nurmos lets his Oaks-winning mare Adriatica and the capable stablemate Granger make their first starts of the year, accompanied by the triple millionaire Ninette Boko and the up-and-coming Queen of Power, to mention a few.
The quick-leaving Staro Raili starts from the second tier.
"I would have preferred starting in the first tier, but it is what it is. She races great from behind too, for example when she finished second in the "Margareta" race at Solvalla this past spring and had to go without cover, three-wide the last 800 meters. As I said, she races well from behind too, it's just that she is so quick out of the gate and the lead is always the closest way to the finish line".
So, Staro Raili should be considered despite the post and the tough opponents?
"Yes, she has been in tough races several times and shown that she can go with them. I think she has shown that she is one of the better mares in the race, even if we need some luck from this post".
You also bring 13 Take Your Time (V86-4) to Solvalla, with one start in his legs. What can you say about him?
"He won a V75® race on New Year's Eve, but after that, he didn't have much luck and when he raced in Norway there was a snowstorm, and he didn't care much for that. So, we gave him a break and trained him and we were happy with his return, last time out. He raced well and was tough the last 800 meters, and "Calle" Jepson was happy with how he felt. I hadn't trained him to be sharp for that, so, I think that start in his legs will make his form better for this start. The post position is no good and it could be tough for him to get in the race and we are hoping that he races well and makes some money".