A Fair Day makes history in V85 premiere
by Thomas Hedlund
The launch of Sweden’s new betting format, V85, delivered a storybook result on Saturday (Oct. 25) at Jägersro, as A Fair Day and Oscar Ginman led every step of the way to capture the $120,000 C.L. Müllers Memorial — and make history as the first winner under the new system.
The defending champion returned to the Malmö oval and repeated in style. Despite heavy rain and a testing track, A Fair Day (by Maharajah) handled the conditions flawlessly, setting a comfortable tempo up front while the crowd favorite Francesco Zet (Örjan Kihlström) loomed ominously first-over.
The first kilometer went in a mile rate of 1:59.2 and Ginman kept his cool, maintaining a measured but firm pace to keep the superstar at bay. Turning for home, he asked his gelding for more — and A Fair Day responded instantly, opening up by two lengths as Francesco Zet began to labor in the sticky going.
Down the stretch, the outcome was never in doubt. A Fair Day held firm to score decisively in a mile rate of 1:56.4 for the 2,640-meter race, earning $55,000 (USD) and becoming the first horse ever to win the C.L. Müllers Memorial in back-to-back years since 2014, when On Track Piraten captured his second title in a row.
“I’m speechless — it couldn’t be better,” said an emotional Elisabeth Almheden, the horse’s trainer. “It’s just wonderful… with ‘Affe’ and everyone around him. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.”
Ginman wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“Today he showed he’s every bit as good as the rest,” the driver said. “I knew Francesco Zet would come at some point, so I wanted to push on through the final turn and make him work for it.”
Francesco Zet held gamely for second but appeared a notch below his best.
“He’s definitely had better days,” Kihlström said of Francesco Zet. “But he was okay — the race unfolded about as we expected.”
With the win, A Fair Day reaffirmed his place among Sweden’s elite — and gave the brand-new V85 era the kind of dramatic, feel-good start it needed.
The debut of Sweden’s new national betting game V85 drew major attention, with the total wagering turnover exceeding SEK 145 million (about $13.3 million USD) — a strong start for ATG’s successor to the long-running V75 format.
MAGIC NIGHT DOMINATES AT VINCENNES
Two of France’s brightest 3-year-olds shone under the Vincennes lights on Friday (Oct. 24) as Magic Night and Mack de Blary each captured semi-classic victories in style.
After controversy in her previous start, Magic Night (Helgafell—Byblis du Goutier) bounced back brilliantly to win the $132,000 Prix Uranie for fillies.
Driver Paul-Philippe Ploquin had to work early, sitting three-wide through the opening stages before clearing to the breeze a mile from home. Shortly thereafter, Magic Night powered to the front and controlled the pace. In the stretch, she fought off late challengers to score comfortably in a mile rate of 1:54.4 for the 2,175-meter race.
Madrid Haufor (Real de Lou) finished a strong second, and Midway Lady (Royal Dream) was third.
Trained by Philippe Allaire, Magic Night had been first across the wire in the Criterium des 3 Ans earlier this fall but was demoted to second for interference with Mack de Blary. Before that, she captured the Criterium des Pouliches ($143,000), the French Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.
Friday’s victory was her sixth win at Vincennes this year, adding to earlier triumphs in the Prix de Masina, Prix Reine du Corta, Prix Alcyone, and Prix de Selestat.
MACK DE BLARY EXTENDS WINNING STREAK
The day’s second feature, the $132,000 Prix Victor Regis, went to the ever-consistent Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon), who posted his fourth straight victory for driver Théo Duvaldestin.
Racing uncovered the entire trip, Mack de Blary displayed typical toughness to wear down front-runner Maitre Jacques (Rolling d’Heripré) through the lane and win going away in a mile rate of 1:56 — equaling the race record. Mat Manathis (Booster Winner) finished third after a pocket trip.
The Criterium des 3 Ans winner has put together a sensational sophomore season, with major victories also in the Yearling Cup – Arqana Trot ($165,000) and the Prix de Berlin ($99,000) at Enghien. He also finished third earlier this year in both the Criterium des Jeunes and the Prix Paul Viel.
With Magic Night’s redemption and Mack de Blary’s relentless rise, France’s 3-year-old crop continues to impress — and the sophomore stars of Allaire and Duvaldestin look poised for even greater things this winter at Vincennes.
