by Thomas Hedlund

The $190,000 Kriteriet for 3-year-old Finnish-bred trotters was held in Tampere on Saturday (Sept. 30) afternoon and it was an outstanding winner who took the big title in Finland.

Timo Korvenheimo-trained God Hyperion (Brad de Veluwe) left his position in third over with 600 meters remaining in the 2,600 meters long race and the 3-year-old gelding was doing well on his way towards the front horses. In the last turn, God Hyperion raced three wide, outside of favorite Lightning Stride and when the field reached the home stretch, the advantage was in God Hyperion’s favor.

Henri Bollström sat in the sulky behind the son of Brad de Veluwe and the duo hit the wire as the winner in a mile rate of 2:00 over 1.6 miles.

Runner up Mr Knowitall got a perfect cover trip, following the winner throughout the last turn but could never challenge seriously for the win. Lightning Stride finished third.

Replay here.

ALLAIRE WILL BE BACK AT SOLVALLA

Philippe Allaire, who won Elitloppet with Hohneck in May, will return to Stockholm with — at least — three horses on Oct. 14. Solvalla plays host to a really massive program that day, with the Kriteriet and Oaks for Swedish-bred 3-year-olds, the final in the $440,000 European Derby for 4-year-olds and the $512,000 UET Elite Circuit for the older elite.

Elitloppet winner Hohneck will join Allaire’s two J-horses that qualified for the European Derby as he is qualified for the UET Elite Circuit race.

On Friday (Sept. 29) night, the elimination race before the Derby was held at Vincennes and Allaire saw his Just A Gigolo (Boccador de Simm) winning on the lead in a mile rate of 1:54.4 over 1.3 miles while stable mate Joyner Sport finished second.

In the two elimination races held at Åby racetrack in Sweden on Saturday (Sept. 30) afternoon, Bedazzled Sox (Brillantissime) and Barack Face (Ready Cash) impressed in each race. Joviality was second to Bedazzled Sox in her elimination and the final includes several top names among the European 4-year-old crop.

POWER SHOWED POWER

Robert Bergh’s Power (Googoo Gaagaa), who won the Swedish Kriterium 2019, proved to be the best older Swedish-bred trotter in the $92,000 Swedish Championship at Åby on Saturday (Sept. 30) afternoon.

Bergh hit the lead in the first turn with his Power and then made sure that favorite Hail Mary had to do the heavy job on the outside. With 600 meters to go, Hail Mary showed signs of fatigue and soon thereafter Bergh gave Power the signal for full speed throughout the last turn. Power flew away from his opponents and looked brilliant in his 1:55.1 win over 1.6 miles.

Beartime got a ground saving trip and finished second ahead of Barbro Kronos.

Great Skills (Ready Cash) established her position as the best Swedish-bred mare as she claimed the $92,000 Championship for mares at Åby. Daniel Wäjersten’s 5-year-old disarmed leader Felicia Zet already in the last turn after a first over trip and Great Skills sprinted to a safe win in a mile rate of 1:54.2 over 1.3 miles. Felicia Zet held for the silver medal and Filippa B.J. finished third.

Great Skills has now won the championship in her home country twice. In August she was victorious in the European Championship for mares at Solvalla.