Oscar Berglund, a minor trainer with Östersund as his home track, was a little lyrical after his Ice Pack won the elimination race for the Breeders Course at Solvalla and qualified for the million final at Solvalla.
– Unreal for a small trainer like me, he said. It's fantastic to be part of such a big race.
Ice Pack made his second start for Berglund, it started with a second place and now he was well ahead. Despite a race on the outside of the leader during the final lap, he was only strongest at the homestretch.
– He has done everything right since he came to me, he has a nice attitude and likes life and that usually results in nice horses.
Ice Pack is bred in Denmark, but with American stock through and through. He made quite an impression when he took down leader Nikita Boko in the last bit.
– It felt good in the final turn, he felt strong but at the same time it was difficult to know how much Uffe [Ohlsson] had left, said driver Magnus Djuse.
For the Ice Pack, a check on the physical status is now waiting, then it will be fully preparing towards the last Sunday in May.
- I hope he will be even a little stronger then...
Behind the Ice Pack, Nikita Boko finished strongly to second place and is thus also qualified for the final.
Already on Thursday evening, the next elimination race will be decided, four 3-year-olds collide at Victoria Park in Wolvega.
Dion Tesselaar, double winner last year, start two horses. Novato and Daniel Hazelaar, Dion drives the former while Jeffery Miras drives Novato. The starting list is completed by Zabaione Diamant (Robin Bakker) and Extreme Point (Micha Brouwer).