by Thomas Hedlund

Trainer Mattias Djuse and his youngest brother, Magnus, a driver, together celebrated a safe wire-to-wire victory with 4-year-old Hustle Rain (Raja Mirchi) in Thursday’s (July 6) $240,000 Sprintermästaren in Halmstad, Sweden.

Three elimination heats over the mile were scheduled on the card during the evening and Stefan Melander’s Following (Nuncio) claimed the first heat in nice style from the lead with Björn Goop driving.

Hustle Rain was best from position first over in the following race and Staro Mack Crowe (Bold Eagle) finished strongly from the far outside to capture the win in the third elimination.

Magnus A Djuse got to pick his post position first for the final and chose #1 behind the gate for Hustle Rain. Magnus was pretty confident that his horse would keep the lead from that post and he was right. Hustle Rain kept the lead and got an eager Staro Mack Crowe on his outside. The pace was set high as the field approached the first kilometer.

It’s fair to say that Hustle Rain deserved to win the race, but high grades will be handed out to the runner-up Staro Mack Crowe and even to some of the horses behind the top duo.

An emotional Mattias Djuse noted that Hustle Rain won the Sprintermästaren in 1:52.3 and the Raja Mirchi son will now aim for the Derby in September.

Love Keeper took the bronze medal after an inside trip.

BAKKER, BIG RACE SPECIALIST

Dutch duo Paul Hagoort and Robin Bakker continue to reap success in big races in the Nordic European countries. For the second year in a row, Hagoort/Bakker claimed the $160,000 Stosprintern for 4-year-old mares.

Last year, their weapon was named Chebba Mil. In Thursday’s (July 6) final, Bakker sat behind an outstanding winner in Julia Sisu (Kadabra). The pair were involved in a tight situation in the first turn, when Bakker interfered with Johan Untersteiner’s horse Mellby Korall, who made a break due to the situation. Bakker would later be fined ($4,800) and suspended 10 days, but before that, he steered the good-looking mare to an impressive win from the lead in 1:54.4.

Breeder Sisyfos Breeders AB had a nice evening in Halmstad since their second horse in the race, Jennifer Sisu (Propulsion) made a strong effort as runner up after a tough trip. So Much A Lady was third from the pocket.

Sisyfos Breeders’ successful week didn’t end in Halmstad on Thursday night. A little bit west, at Jarlsberg racetrack in Norway, the $56,000 Jarlsberg Grand Prix was held on Friday (July 7) night and Preben Sövik’s Just Perfect Sisu (Brillantissime) proved to be strongest from third over in the final.