The 2022 Elitloppet.
This weekend sees one of the biggest races on the European trotting calendar. Taking place is the running of the Elitloppet to be conducted at the racetrack of Solvalla, located near Stockholm. Apart from the Feature Heats & Final to be run on Sunday, the meeting has many other top-quality races.
The Elitloppet is run over 1609m across two heats followed by a final approximately two hours later, the horse entries are by invitation with the final being first four over the line in each heat.
A quality contingent of French horses has travelled to Sweden for the big races on Saturday and Sunday however only one horse from France, Etonant, will take his place in the Eliloppet.
Etonnant is by dual Elitloppet winner, Timoko (2014 & 2017). Both horses are trained by Richard Westerink. Etonant has drawn gate seven in the first heat and will be driven by Anthony Barrier.
The form of Etonant for this race is very good. Winner of the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) run over the marathon Vincennes journey of 4150m in 2021, he finished second in the race this year. Following that event, he backed up two weeks later when reduced in distance to the 'mile' proving victorious in the Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (G1) defeating Vivid Wise As. Following this, he finished second tackling the 2150m Prix de l'Atlantique at Enghien in April with Vivid Wise As reversing the outcome. His final trial race was at Caen in the Prix des Ducs de Normandie (G2) rating a quick 1'11"6 two weeks ago.
Italian Vivid Wise As is well known in France with his exploits including successive victories in the Prix de l'Atlantique (G1) at Enghien these past two seasons. He is also the reigning champion of the Grand Prix de France (G1) at Vincennes in February and finished second in the Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (G1) beaten by Etonant. French reinsman Mathieu Abrivard will be driving for the Alessandro Gocciadoro trained runner. A strong case can be made for him to be anointed as the best sprinter currently racing in Europe.
Both horses were stars of the Winter Meeting and have the versatility and class to go close to winning the Elitloppet. On current form it would not surprise to see these two horses run the one/two on Sunday. And to add to the clash, both have drawn in differing heats.
Other horses from France engaged at the weekend meeting include:
Diable de Vauvert who will race on Saturday in the Harper Hanovers (G1), the feature long-distance event with Anthony Barrier driving. As winner of this years' Grand Prix de Paris (G1) run over 4150m at Vincennes last February, this journey of 3140m will suit.
Four-year-old Iron Jet is a last start Vincennes winner who is also engaged along with Héliade du Goutier, a G2 placegetter at Vincennes in April trained by Sébastian Guarato.
In the Delicious Lopp (Gr.2), It's a Girl, a full sister of Bold Eagle, is French bred but has done all her racing in Sweden with three wins from eleven starts.
The Tommy Hannes lopp (Gr.2) has plenty of French representation headed up by the Philippe Allaire trained Callmethebreeze and driven by Italian reinsman Andrea Guzzinati. Another runner is Invictus Madiba trained by Tomas Malmqvist with Magnus A Djuse in the sulky.
Feature mounted race is Montéeliten (Gr.2) (starting behind the mobile) with four live chances from France:
Boston Terrie, as an 11-year-old, now trained in Sweden by Henk Grift and will be ridden by French jockey Jean-Yann Ricart
Vapiro is an Italian horse prepared by Alessandro Gocciadoro however will have leading French rider Nathalie Henry in the saddle
Diamant de Larré is a handy horse to Group level and is trained by Henk Grift with Matilde Herleikplass riding
Florida Sport is Charles-Antoine Mary trained with jockey Mathieu Mottier on board and is a good chance to win noting his G3 Vincennes victories earlier in the year and solid runs in Group One races.
The fields for the two heats of the Elitloppet over 1609m are:
Heat One
1. Onas Prince
2. Brother Bill
3. Cokstile
4. Perfetto
5. Click Bait
6. Opening Grif
7. Etonant
8. Don Fanucci Ze
Heat Two
1. Snowstorm Hanover
2. Admiral Ace
3. Who's Who
4. Hail Mary
5. Night Brodde
6. Mister F. Daag
7. Vivid Wise As
8. Extreme
