V86: The star trainer about the super horse - "He is the best horse I have trained"
He is the super horse who is undefeated after ten start and has been vastly impressive.
Ecurie D. brightens up Fyraåringstestet on V86 as he faces several of the stars of the crop.
"He is the best horse I have ever trained. I have to say that now without offending anyone" says Frode Hamre.
Eskilstuna offers a high quality race card as they are hosting V86 on Wednesday. In Fyraåringstestet over 2,640 meters several of the stars of the four year old crop will battle. Last year's Kriterium runner-up and Breeders Crown winner Brother Bill will make his seasonal debut, the winner of the King's Trophy Aetos Kronos is back and in the race is also the capable Green Manalishi.
But they all have to excuse when Ecurie D. shows up in the program. The four year old stud horse has been relentless in all of his starts and he has basically crushed his opponents. The effort when he won the Four Year Old elite during the Elitlopp weekend was phenomenal. Ecurie D. trotted the first 500 meters in 1:07 speed and won in 1:09.2/1,609 meters.
That was a new national record and after the prevailing victory driver Erik Adielsson was stunned by the performance of the horse.
"That was one of the best efforts I've encountered. Definitely something extraordinary" said Erik Adielsson shortly after the race.
"He does in such an incredible way. There's no limit to how far he can go. The time itself is fantastic but what's more impressive to me is the way he moves. I'm deeply impressed and I'm grateful to the Hamre stable and to the owners for giving me the chance to drive this horse".
"Checked out by the veterinarian - no complaints"
That was the tenth consecutive victory for Ecurie D. and he is still undefeated. After that peerless effort trainer Frode Hamre also speaks out.
"This is the best horse I've ever trained. I have to say that now without offending anyone. I have trained many good horses over the years but this one is just top class. He has been so incredibly good and he's got it all" says Frode Hamre.
How did Ecurie D. come out of his last start and how does he feel in training after that?
"It all seems very good. He has been checked out by the veterinarian and passed without any complaints. The horse really is great. He has trained as usual and he trained one heat on the track, he trotted 1:17.5 over 2,600 meters and looked good. He feels the same as he did before his last start. I don't think he could be much better than he is now".
"The long distance is an advantage - he is so strong"
"The Wednesday race Fyraåringstestet will be the first start over 2,640 meters for Ecurie D. He drew post nine behind the gate and will be driven by Björn Goop in the hunt for the first prize of SEK 200,000. It will also be the rehearsal race for Hugo Åbergs Memorial on July 28 to which the star trotter has been invited.
"I think the long distance is an advantage since he is so strong. He's got good lungs and good stamina. Post position nine is OK and of course we believe he will win again" says Hamre and adds:
"But he is in against very tough four year olds and he will race in Hugo Åbergs in two weeks. Even if the horse feels good you can't expect to win every start. Sooner or later he will lose but I couldn't be happier with how he feels right now".
Any shoeing or equipment changes this time?
"He has raced barefoot all around in his last two starts but he might race barefoot upfront and with shoes behind this time. That has worked well before and we might just save his feet now that it's a 2,600 meter race and with Hugo Åbergs coming up. Open bridle and a regular style sulky as usual".
Devious undefeated - "First start in an American sulky"
The Norwegian champion trainer has another starter on V86. It's Devious in the third leg and she is undefeated after two starts.
"Devious (V86-3) is a very nice Maharajah filly who is big and strong. She can leave quickly and she's safe and has a great attitude on the track. I think pretty highly of her but she is in against fillies with more experience and she also drew the outside post behind the gate. It could be tough to win against a filly like Fabulous Pellini. From a better post position it would have been more interesting".
"She will race in a big race at Biri (Norway) next week with NOK 250,000 to the winner and she needs a start in between. She will race with shoes again but this time we will try an American sulky on her for the first time. No other changes" says Frode Hamre.