King Gustaf and Queen Silvias Cups at Aby

May 13, 2017 – Today at Aby SWE were two exceptional Gr. I events. The King Gustaf Cup (976,880SEK, 2140 meters autostart, harness racing four year old males) produced one exciting finish as Diamanten (4m Adrian Chip-Iata Kall-Ata Star L) exploded in the lane from heavy traffic, found the passing lane, and won timed in 1.12.6kr for Christoffer Eriksson.

Robert Bergh trains the winner for Forspro AB. Deimos Racing (4g Quite Easy-Athena Haleryd-Pine Chip) raced bravely for Erik Adielsson and Svante Bath, but could not hold off the exploding finish of Diamanten. Third was Monark Newmen (4m Orlando Vici-Lady Value-Ald Palema) for trainer/driver Fredrik Persson. The astounding kick by Diamanten was “for the ages”.

The filly division Queen Silvias Cup, same purse and distance, went to 2/1 Cash Crowe (4f Ready Cash-Giant Crowe-Gigant Neo) teamed by Johnny Taker for breeder/owner/trainer Petri Puro. This 1.12.7kr timed winner now is four of five in 2017 and six wins in seven career outings. 15/1 Inga In Heaven (4f Orlando Vici-Vasterbofromheaven-Red Xing) was home second and third was 80.1 Utrecht Rapid (4f Varenne-Eggental-Diamond Way) with Stefan Soderkvist at the lines.

On the undercard was the V75 Gold, raced over 1609 meters autostart with 150,000SEK to the winner. Veteran Spring Erom (12m Gentle Star-Springflickan-Prince Mystic) scored in 1.10.4kr for Bjorn Goop. Dan Wildegren trains the property of Stall Sten Nilsson, now with 32 career wins in 99 starts for 7,733,341SEK earned. Spring Erom was off at 3.6/1 and he defeated 7/1 Quick Fix (8g From Above-Glued-Sugarcane Hanover) and Christoffer Eriksson for trainer Lutfi Kolgjini. 69/1 Billy Flynn (5m Cantab Hall-Zeta Jones-Enjoy Lavec) was third for Erik Adielsson, trainer Par Hedberg and owners Bender Sweden and Roy Holth. Billy Flynn is an import from the USA where he was trained there by Staffan Lind. Canari Match and Edward Ale were fourth and fifth. Well regarded On Track Piraten was seventh and Kadett CD was a miscue dq. Spring Erom received an Elitloppet bid from this event.

In the early card was the Euro Classic Next Year (75,000SEK first place, 2140 meters autostart) and 3/2 favorite Vainqueur RP (3m Infinitif-Global Affair-Broadway Hall) scored in 1.14.8kr for Bjorn Goop and trainer Frode Hamre. Van Kronos (3m Timoko-Mythical Kronos-Yankee Glide) was second for Erik Adielsson and trainer Svante Bath, ahead of Cantotis (3m Cantab Hall-Miss Otis Regrets-Muscles Yankee) reined by Johnny Takter for trainer Frode Hamre.

Thomas H. Hicks