Aussie trotting star primed to make history in Sweden

BRAD Hewitt is starting to get excited.

Hewitt believes his star Aussie trotter The Locomotive (Muscle Mass) is right on target to create harness racing history in Sunday week’s iconic Elitlopp trot at Solvalla in Stockholm.

The reigning Inter Dominion winning trotter thrilled Hewitt with a slick solo workout in trying conditions at Solvalla yesterday.

“I was thrilled with that. It was terrific work, especially in the conditions. It’s so cold and windy here,” Hewitt said.

“When I looked down and saw he’d run his last mile in 1min54sec in those conditions and doing it quite easily, I said to myself ‘you beauty’.

“It was eight degrees, but said it felt like minus one and there was a 40kmh wind.

“That’s as good as he’s worked solo, not just here, but anytime back home as well.”

Hewitt admitted there was a layer of relief after being “so-so” with The Locomotive’s work at Solvalla a week earlier.

“Put it this way, I’m glad I came over well in advance because he definitely needed the hitout last week and he had a good blow after it,” he said.

“We’ve got plenty of work into him this week and to see him thrive and respond with a workout like that, it’s pleasing but also a relief.

“We’ve done the heavy lifting now. He’s pretty much where we want him, he won’t need another trip back in here to Solvalla.

“They’ve got a 1000m track where we are staying and I can do everything else I need there. It’s all about the finishing touches now.

“He’ll have a hitout next Monday or Tuesday and that’ll top him off nicely.”

The Locomotive is just the fourth Australian-trained trotter to contest the Elitlopp, which consists of heats into a final on the same day, and none have made the final.

Hewitt focus now turns to a kind barrier draw when they are revealed on Sunday.

“That’s going to be crucial,” he said. His early speed is one of his great weapons and his best runs have been in front.

“Judging by his work today and how well he came through it, he’ll run a great race and I think he can at least make the final with the right draw.”

Hewitt isn’t fazed The Locomotive going into the Elitlopp having not raced since April 4 when third in the TAB Trot at Cambridge, New Zealand.

“No, he flies fresh,” he said. “He was first-up for two months when he brilliantly won that heat of the Great Southern Star, which you’d have to say was his standout performance so far.

“Today’s workout showed me he’s right where I need him. I couldn’t be happier.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia