V86®: Åke thinks highly of Power Doc
Åke Lindblom has high hopes for Power Doc.
This year's big goal is Jubileumspokalen and at Solvalla's V86® races this Wednesday, the tough five-year-old is put to the test.
"I think it feels like he is growing into the elite" says the trainer.
STL Summer Trot makes a stop in the Swedish capital this Wednesday.
Top-class trot races are on the program at Solvalla. The evening feature is Prix Readly Express, a four-year-old open, but the race card includes many other nice races. One of them is Icelands lopp – the first test for Jubileumspokalen. A race that gives us a hint about the biggest race for the five-year-old trotters, Jubileumspokalen, which will be raced on August 16.
Åke Lindblom has an interesting participant in 7 Power Doc (V86-1). The son of Muscle Massive was good already last year when he made it to the final of the Swedish Trotting Derby and this year, he has gained further toughness racing in some very good races. In his most recent start, in Eskilstuna, Power Doc raced in a long-distance race against a bit easier competition and responded by winning in splendid isolation.
"He was great last time out, it was a pretty cheap race for him maybe, but he was still very good. It felt like he was just jogging, so he just took off the last 600-700 meters and left them. He felt very good" says Åke Lindblom and adds:
"He has just gotten some light training after that start and feels fine, nothing wrong with his form at least and we won't make any changes. He will race the way he usually does".
How much do you think your horse has developed from last year?
"He wintered very well and got a lot of training in a pullert cart and it feels like he is growing into the elite. I think he's an incredible individual, very easy to be around and he always wants to please. We have high hopes for him going forward".
Jubileumspokalen is in your thoughts, one would assume?
"Of course, if we get in there, that would be fantastic. Jubileumspokalen is our big goal of the year with Power Doc".
What are your thoughts on the Wednesday race?
"We have to see what happens. We drew pretty badly and he is in tough, but...he is in really good form and that's the most important thing".
You have only raced him in long-distance races this year, is that just coincidental?
"Mostly coincidental yes. I think he is just as good over 2,140 meters, so the only problem is the post position here".
Appasso has taken huge steps in his development
The Örebro trainer has one more starter on V86 at Solvalla.
That is the six-year-old 8 Appasso (V86-6) who in his most recent start finally got the first win of the year. He even did it on the Elitlopp Sunday. Appasso, driven by Åke's cousin's son Carl Philip Lindblom, could take advantage of the high pace and sprint home to victory in the apprentice elite race in 1:11.1 over 1,640 meters.
"He has also taken huge steps I think, and he feels very, very good now. He trained together with Power last Thursday and felt awesome. He is also in top form now and we are not changing anything on him either" says Åke.
Appasso won at 31-1 last time out, were you as surprised as the bettors?
"No, I guess I wasn't. My horse has been good in every start this year and has developed, he is also a fantastic horse who we hope to have a lot of fun with going forward. The post position this time makes it a bit harder for us, we need some racing luck along the way, but he proved in his last start that he can also race from behind. He won from post ten and came from behind and sprinted by them, he is very versatile".
So there really is no reason for Åke Lindblom to not be optimistic about Wednesday?
"I don't think so. With some luck along the way, both of them should be in the mix".