July 25, 2011

Stochampionatet – the Queen is Still Indisputable

The annual three-day trotting/camping event at Axevalla raceway in Skara took place last weekend (July 22-24). The most prestigious race for 4-year-old fillies – Stochampionatet over 2640 meters (1 5/8th miles) – where just as exciting as the audience could possibly hope for. The big favorite and dominant Tamla Celeber, lost her elimination heat ten days ago and got the worst post position for the final – post 12.



Sense and Sensibility

Åke Svanstedt took the lead with Nettan Palema and had Veijo Heiskanen’s Canaka B.F. on the outside. Meanwhile, Örjan Kihlström placed Tamla Celeber in the fifth pair on the outside. Most people expected Örjan to make a move as soon as everyone had found their positions, but he saved his horse until 900 meters left when he sent her three-wide out. Kihlström trusted his horse and made no further move until they were all coming on the homestretch. Although Nettan Palema and Canaka B.F. were in front of him, he sat calm and let Tamla Celeber win by nose at 1.15,2/2640 meters (2.01/1 5/8th miles).



The owner Stall Courant could bank another $158,000, and the Cantab Hall – Amanda Celeber offspring has totally earned more than $800,000.

Årjängs stora sprinterlopp

With almost the same contestants as in the Elitlopp, Årjäng raceway managed to get the best, aged European horses possible to their main race of the year. This year's Elitlopp winner Brioni was back after a short pause and former winners like Iceland and Torvald Palema were also behind the gate.


Fought the best

One that was not invited to the Elitlopp was Beanie M.M. Morten Waage’s horse tested positive in a doping test after Olso Grand Prix (May 15). The test contained a substance causing negative performance, and the investigation pointed towards sabotage rather than classified doping. Once back on the track again – Waage’s horse, with Johnny Takter in the bike, won a gold final at Bergsåker and was now was ready to fight the elite again. Lutfi Kolgjini and Lavec Kronos kept the pace high in the front whilst Beanie M.M. was trailing. Iceland was on the outside and Brioni and Torvald Palema further down. They reached the first 1000 meters at 1.09,4 (1:51.3) and Kolgjini continued in the same pace. Takter moved Beanie M.M. out in the last bend and took over from Lavec Kronos. With speedy horses like Brioni and Torvald Palema coming from behind, Takter ordered full speed. Beanie M.M. responded to his demand and sprinted home the mile race at 1.10,4 (1:53.1). The Super Arnie – Beverly San (e. Tibur) stallion added another $110,500 to his $1,040,500. He has won 18 of his 66 lifetime starts.

July 15, 2011

Sprintermästaren

Another year has gone and when Halmstad opened up for the Swedish Hambletonian again (July 7), the sun was shining and the rain was gone. The largest Swedish sprinter race for 4-year-old horses is a given favorite and the 13 000 in the audience saw harness racing in world class.

Three Elimination Winners

Wishing Stone won the first elimination heat with Åke Svanstedt in the bike. The Fabrice Soulay-trained horse was magnificent and won the mile race at 1:54.2. Jorma Kontio and Timo Nurmos-trained Amuro Boko won the second heat from the lead at 1:53.2. The last elimination heat was won by Formula One and Erik Adielsson in the front. The horse is trained by Stig H Johansson and won easily at 1:57.0.


Italian Taste

These three and Orecchietti were also the favorites to the final. Jorma Kontio sent Amuro Boko to the front and opened the first 500 meters at 1:53.2. Åke Svanstedt tried to force Wishing Stone to the lead but Amuro Boko was never close to give up the front. When they were coming on the home stretch, Örjan Kihlström attacked with Orecchietti from a position as second pair on the outside and his horse delivered a strong speed. The Stefan Hultman-trained stallion added another $140 000 to his bank account and won at 1:53.3.


100 Happy Owners

Orecchietti is owned by Travkompaniet, a limited company, and has around 100 owners altogether. His breeder Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg has been a dominant in the Swedish breeding industry for several years’ and Orecchietti is a pure ‘Margareta product’. She bred the sire From Above and owned his sire Zoot Suit during his breeding career. She also owns the dam Canneloni, which is after another Wallenius stallion, Mack Lobell.


Stosprintern – Ludde’s Show

The day after (July 8) the filly division – Stosprintern – took place. The three elimination heats were contested ten days earlier and the favorite was Somekindacatch with Erik Adielsson. Örjan Kihlström sent the Stig H Johansson-trained Adena Boko to the front and opened at 1:53.1. She looked like a tiger up until Lutfi Kolgjini and his Viking Kronos filly Knowledge Face challenged 800 meters left to go. Adena Boko managed to keep the front, but Knowledge Face kept the pace high and was an outstanding winner at 1:57.1. Knowledge Face has belonged in the elite since she started as a 2-year-old and took her 5th victory in 25 entries. She bank another $49 000 and could sum up $158 000 on her account.

July 04, 2011

The Aged Elite in Scandinavia

Iceland Is Back
Iceland and his trainer Stefan Melander won Jämtlands Stora Pris at Östersund Raceway (June 11) at 1.11,6/2140 meters (1:55.1/1 3/8 miles). The winner of the Elitlopp 2010 added another $120,000 to his bank account and showed that he is still accountable from the lead.


The Italian Speed

The day after (June 12), Libeccio Grif with Björn Goop in the bike won Copenhagen Cup at Charlottenlund Raceway in Copenhagen at 1.10,7/2011 meters (1:53.4/1 2/8 miles). From a position as 4th on the outside, the stallion delivered a strong speed 400 meters left and won by a length. The victory was worth $127,000 for the Marco Smorgon trained Italian stallion.


An Awaited Victory For Yarrah Boko

The week after (June 18) Yarrah Boko and Ulf Ohlsson won the $120,000 Norrbottens Stora Pris in Boden at 1.13,0/2140 meters (1:57.2/1 3/8 miles) from the lead. Yarrah Boko finished second after Iceland in Jämtlands Stora Pris and was fourth in the Elitlopp. Finally, the Trond Anderssen trained stallion got a victory to bring home to Norwey.


Last But Not Least…

Torvald Palema had a great show when he defended last years’ victory in Forus Open and made a hat trick after three consecutive victories in Forus Raceway’s biggest race. He sprinted to the lead, but was overthrown by Unforgettable. However, Svanstedt overtook the lead again and when Rapide Lebel went off stride shortly, his worst opponent was out of the way. Torvald Palema fought in the lead and won at 1.10,9/1600 meters (1:54.1/1 mile). The 10-year-old stallion added another $187,000 to his already $4,000,000. An amazing result for a horse that has belonged in the elite since he was 3-year-old.






July 03, 2011

E3 Finals – Middle Distance

The 3-year-old fillies and sires met in their first combat for the season at Bergsåker Raceway in Sundsvall this weekend and it was an unexpected winner in the filly division and a given winner in the sires’.


Another Victory For Robert Bergh
The filly final took place on Fri (July 01). Björn Goop had the favorite Miss Shape and forced her to the front while Robert Bergh placed his own-trained Britannia on the outside. The speed was just average but although, Miss Shape collapsed on the homestretch. However Britannia showed strength and continued on to a safe victory. The daughter of Varenne – Ågårds Alma (e. Meadow Road) won at 1.15,1 /2140 meters (2:00.4/1 3/8 miles) and took her 5th triumph in 8th entries.


A Finish Victory
Even more impressive was the winner in the sire’s final the day after. Tuomas Korvenoja showed his finish-trained Brad de Veluwe (by Andover Hall – Amazing Ride). The horse won the elimination heat by several lengths a few weeks ago and had a similar show this time. Korvenoja sent his horse to the front and put two lengths behind him and the contestants immediately. In a graceful way, the stallion kept on in his speed and none could challenge him. He reached the finishing line and the $128,000 at 1.13,7/2140 meters (1:58.3/1 3/8 miles).