by Thomas Hedlund

Courant Stable’s 4-year-old Chapter Seven daughter Joviality showed up for the European harness racing fans for the first time when eliminations to the Drottningpokalen were held at Åby racetrack on Friday (April 21) night.

And trainer Sabine Kaghebrant’s new star didn’t disappoint anyone when she played with the opponents from the lead as she hit the wire in a mile rate of 1:57 over 1.3 miles.

Joviality looked just perfect all the way in the hands of Erik Adielsson and she will be the horse to beat in the final on May 6.

ETONNANT IN ATLANTIQUE

The Richard Westerink-trained Etonnant (Timoko) continues to win after his sickness break during the Paris’ winter meeting. The horse’s third consecutive win during the spring came in the $215,000 Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien racetrack in Paris on Saturday (April 22) afternoon.

Etonnant, who hit a spot in sixth over after a very safe start on driver Anthony Barrier’s part, was pushed three-wide with a little less than a mile to go and with a half-mile remaining in the race, Etonnant was in front.

Early leader Hohneck got his chance to challenge Etonnant in the stretch, but he couldn’t get close to the winner. Instead, another horse finished strongly from a bad position. The Romain Derieux-trained Go On Boy picked up many lengths on the winner in Enghien’s long home stretch and finished second ahead of Hohneck.

Replay here

The mile rate for Etonnant was 1:54.1 over 1.3 miles and the title defender in the Elitloppet will really be ready for a new battle in Stockholm at the end of May. Joining him on the journey from France will be Go On Boy. Solvalla invited Go On Boy to the Elitloppet after his strong effort at Enghien on Saturday afternoon.

The Philippe Allaire trained Just A Gigolo (Boccador de Simm) did his first start since Jan. 8 when he entered the $125,000 Prix de Tonnac-Villeneuve at Enghien and the dominant 4-year-old was outstanding from the lead as he won in a mile rate of 2:01.4 over 1.7 miles.

Replay here.

HORSES APPEARING IN THE ELITLOPPET:

Etonnant

Go On Boy

Horsy Dream

Just Believe

Önas Prince

San Moteur

Vivid Wise As

BEADS GOES BACK TO USA

American-bred trotter Beads, who won the Prix de Luxembourg for Jean-Michel Bazire in January, will be shipped overseas to his native country after a trip back to Frode Hamre. Beads hasn’t really delivered on 5/8-mile tracks and the decision was made that the horse will be trained by Åke Svanstedt in USA.

MISTER HERCULES BEST IN SEINÄJOKI

Daniel Redén’s 6-year-old Trixton son Mister Hercules had to face a first over trip when the $145,000 Seinäjoki Race over 1.3 miles was held in Finland on Saturday (April 22) afternoon, but the tough trip didn’t bother Mister Hercules, who easily disarmed leader Shackhill’s Twister at the top of the stretch.

Mister Hercules took control of the race as the field turned for home, but he had to show big moral and strength to win the race. The Daniel Wäjersten trained Borups Victory finished very strongly after a three wide last turn and got close to Mister Hercules in the end. Mister Hercules held on and won in a mile rate of 1:55.2.

Replay here.