V86: The lucky purchase is chasing three in a row — "Good chance to win again"
Three months ago, Christoffer Eriksson recommended one of his owners to buy Kyrie Eleison.
After four starts, he has two wins, where one was in V75, and a second place.
"He is well on his way to making what we paid for him already," says Christoffer Eriksson who is optimistic going into the Wednesday V86 start.
"It looks good on paper, and he should have a good chance to win".
V86 Xpress this Wednesday is split between Åby and Solvalla. At the West Coast track, the hometown trainer, Christoffer Eriksson, sends out two horses in the same race. One of them is Kylie Eleison, who turned out to be a lucky purchase for the stable. Trainer Eriksson knew the horse who was previously trained by Jerry Riordan and Flemming Jensen. When the horse was for sale, Christoffer recommended one of his owners, who took the opportunity. After four starts for the Åby licensed trainer, the horse has two wins. One of them was in V75 in the snowstorm at Axevalla on New Year's Eve.
"He hasn't quite made what the owner paid for him yet, but he's well on his way," says Christoffer Eriksson with a laugh.
"I kept an eye on him when Flemming trained him and I have always thought he's a good horse. I think the market is good for buying racehorses. This one is nice, and he has gotten better with each start for me".
"He has raced well every time, except for when he was parked out in a 3,000-meter race at Jägersro, in his second start for me. But he wasn't mentally ready to go on the outside for three kilometers, either. Besides that, I've been very pleased with him. It was strong to win in V75, where he made the move three wide to sit outside the leader, and when he won his most recent start, Victor Rosleff gave him a perfect trip. He just jogged, and Victor didn't even pull the earplugs," says Christoffer.
How does he feel in training after that start?
"He feels good. I trained him myself today (Monday), and I was pleased. The training conditions have been so-so due to the weather lately, but it's the same for many other trainers too. But now we are able to train as usual again".
"Good spot — can trot fast on all distances"
Kyrie Eleison is the given betting favorite in the first V86 leg at Åby, from post position two in volt start, with the trainer driving. Christoffer Eriksson believes he has a good chance to make it three in a row.
"It looks good on paper, with a good post position. I think the post suits him, and he should get a decent start. It's a 1,600-meter race this time, and that's no problem; I'm sure he can trot fast on all distances. He's a decent leaver, not super quick, but I think he gets away better than average".
"The horse is in better form now than in his first starts for me, so he can handle most trips. The only change we make is the sulky. Not that it's a volt start race, he has to race in regular style sulky. I have to believe that his chances are good," says Christoffer Eriksson.
The stablemate could be the biggest threat — "Can win"
The Åby licensed trainer has another starter in the same race, Nyras Lars R., who could be the biggest threat to his stablemate. Nyras Lars R. finished second in his last start and starts from a good post position together with Victor Rosleff.
"7 Nyras Lars R. (V86-1) is also in excellent form, and he raced very well when he finished second in his most recent start last week behind Boscha Diablo. Two starts ago, he was too aggressive when he raced first up, and I think he has shown good form for quite some time now. He hasn't had much racing luck, but he has felt good. He should get a good spot here, and with a good trip, he can win the race. He's that good of a horse. But I think Kyrie Eleison has a better chance since he is more versatile. This one needs the trip to work out to get a good result. No changes".