“ Winning the Elitloppet was a childhood dream.“A year ago, Richard Westerink made his dream come true when he saw his resident Timo win this prestigious event in Sweden, on the Solvalla racecourse, helped in his task by local star, Björn Goop. Although having achieved one of his objectives, Richard Westerink is not satisfied with victories. Not that Timo still needs to prove that he is a true champion, a crack – you don’t win twelve groups I by chance – but to mark even more the history of racing and world trotting: “It’s true that sometimes I have fun looking at the rankings and I see Timo to be part of the top 8 horses having amassed the most winnings in races, and this without having won the Prix d’Amérique. It’s a source of pride.”
Retain your title in the Elitloppet, something that has not happened since Varenne (2001 and 2002), can allow it to return to equality with I de Bellouet in the number of victories in groups I (13). Kill two birds with one stone, by equalizing Varenne et I de Bellouet : “We have the advantage of having already won this prestigious event. We have less pressure than last year, but we are racing to retain our title. It will also depend on our number in the battery. For me, the hardest part will be qualifying. Once in the final, I am sure of my horse.” When you listen to Richard Westerink, you realize his complete confidence in Timo. However, the last two performances of his protégé could have given him doubt: “You can’t win every race. In the Prix de l’Atlantique, the racing circumstances worked against us, with Vanika du Ruel which got us moving early. In the “Kerjacques”, unlike last year when we had to win it to be invited to the Elitloppet, we ran it less offensively. Moreover, Timo was only unshod, in anticipation of his trips abroad where the trails are different than in Vincennes. But it was not very conclusive. I would have liked that Timo have a harder race, but Björn told me not to worry.”
So this is the son ofEthnicity ready for a new campaign abroad. But, before that, Richard Westerink went to Haras de Sassy to give him one last hard work on Saturday: “He was perfect, impeccable. He did intervals, six times 500 meters, going very fast. All the lights are green; there is nothing more to do. Jean-Yves Lhérété will give him a final exercise this Tuesday, then Timo will fly to Sweden on Friday.”
It’s sure: Timo has not finished making Richard Westerink dream!
