Swedish Elitloppet Gathers Worldwide Excitement
Europe’s most prestigious trotting festival will be raced
at Solvalla on the outskirts of Stockholm this weekend,
with the Elitloppet final scheduled for Sunday. An international
array of trotting stars will be lining up with entries from
Sweden, Norway, France, Italy, Australia and USA.
Jocose from the powerful Stefan Hultman stable and Mr Muscleman
from USA will both be watched with keen interest by South
Africans – two of whom will be in Sweden for the big event.
Mr Muscleman, owned by New York’s Adam Victor, longtime
owner, friend and supporter of the Snaith racing family,
will have Jonathan Snaith at trackside in support, and Dean
Latimer, HRSA chairman, will be quietly hoping for a win
from Jocose, regularly driven by Johnny B Karlsson. Mr Muscleman
is already the earner of R26m in stakes in America.
Last years Elitloppet drew 82,000 spectators to trackside,
and the big V75 Swedish betting pool topped R180m.
Speaking prior to his departure for Sweden this week, Dean
said the visit would also be used to convey thanks to the
Swedish racing fraternity who have collected in excess of
R1m in equipment and horses for the South African start-up
of trotting.
Owing to heavy worldwide weekend racing, this year’s Elitloppet
will not be shown live on Tellytrack, but will be screened
later on Keeping Track.
Photo Attached
Photo Caption: Mr Muscleman - USA’s Elitloppet entry, struts
his stuff.
Contact: Dean Latimer
082 694 9906