Konung Gustaf Gr.I International at Aby

May 12, 2018 – Today’s co-featured harness racing Konung Gustaf Gr.I International for 1,000,000SEK first money went to 2.2/1 Perfect Spirit (4m Andover Hall-Good Common Cents-Kadabra) with Orjan Kihlstrom up.

The winner, trained by Daniel Reden for SRF Stable, is unbeaten in three 2018 starts after winning the Hambletonian in 2017 on a dq. 84/1 Super War Horse (4m Super Photo Kosmos-Poison Valley-Lindy Lane) was second for driver Kevin Oscarsson, trainer Jerry Riordan and owner Martina Vincenzo. 12/1 Enterprise (4m Chapter Seven-She’s Gone Again-SJs Caviar) held third on the pegs for Per Linderoth, trainer Stefan Melander and Courant AB. Perfect Spirit raced on the lead and faced limited threat in the late lane, scoring in 1.11.1kr with a strong kick (1.08.5kr after first 500; 1.10.9hkr at the 1000 from the start; 1.11.4kr at the 1500 out – 600 remaining).

The Drottning Silvias Gr. I International (purse to winner 1,000,000SEK, 2140 meters autostart) went to 1.3/1 Dibaba (4f Ready Cash-Moonlight Kronos-Viking Kronos) with Kihlstrom teaming for trainer Roger Walmann. She is three for three in 2018 with this 1.11.4kr victory. 41/1 Global Upper Style (4f SJs Caviar) was next for Peter Untersteiner and 4.7/1 Vanquish Kronos (4f Raja Mirchi) took third for driver Christoffer Eriksson and trainer Jerry Riordan.

The Breeders Course (three year olds, Gr. II International, 1640 meters autostart, 400,000SEK to the winner) went to 2.3/1 Northern Charm (3m Muscle Hill-Clothie-Coktail Jet) timed in 1.12.3kr. This colt is three for three in 2018 and was driven by Peter Ingves for trainer Christian Lindhardt and owner Herz Gunter of Germany/ Feeling Way (3, Ouragon de Celland) was second for Tomas Malmqvist and third went to Smokin Joe (3m Lavec Kronos) with Lutfi Kolgjini up.

Also on the card was the Lyon Grand Prix (Gr. II International 20187, 2640 meters autostart, 300,000SEK first money) with 18/1 Handsome Brad (5m Brad de Veluwe-Ulrica M-Red Xing) victorious clocked in 1.11.7kr. He is four for five in 2018 and was driven by Carl Johan Jepson for trainer Ulf Stenstomer. Milligan’s School was second for Ulf Eriksson, ahead of Rajesh Face and Lutfi Kolgjini. 2.8/1 Diamanten was sixth with Erik Adielsson up.

The Algot Scotts V75 Gold (1609 meters autostart, 200,000SEK first prize) went to 5.7/1 Nadal Broline (8g Yankee Glide-Aimee’s Promise-American Winner) for driver Ulf Ohlsson and trainer Reijo Liljendahl in his first 2018 appearance. Race time was 1.10.4kr. Giveutgasandgo was second for Erik Adielsson ahead of Double Exposure with pilot Kihlstrom. BBS Sugarlight and Vasterboonthenews completed the top five.

The V75 Silver (2140 meters autostart for 150,000SEK to the winner) produced a 1.12.1kr victory for the Robert Bergh teamed 2.4/1 Coktail Fortuna (9g Love You-Dallosh No-Diamond Way).Dragster and Roger Malmqvist was second with third to Bryssel and reinsman Bjorn Goop.

Thursday at Jagersro put a nice cap on the driving career of Johnny Takter, as he left with three solid victories: Procalafe (3f Prodigious)traine by Lars Nilsson; Liui Magic (4f SJs Caviar) also trainer by Nilsson; and Miss Marbel (5f Brioni) for trainer Christian Lindhardt. Quite a career for the veteran reinsman and superb horseman.

Sunday is the Gr. I Copenhagen Cup raced over 2011 meters by nine starts for a total purse of €100,727. 

Totoo del Ronco has been scratched from post 10

Thomas H. Hicks