Monday, it's 11:30 a.m. Håkan Arvidsson gives one last leisurely jog to San Engine at the time of the interview. “He is good, flexible and cheerfulhe announces to us live. He did his last extensive work last Saturday. I found it very good”continues the Swede who has his base camp in Kil, a town located in the center of Sweden and 330 kilometers from Stockholm. “It will take us approximately twenty-three hours to drive to Grosbois. I’ll be the one driving the van.”
In a few hours, San Engine will rightly focus attention for its return to the temple of trotting. And the ambitions are already displayed. “He has a good chance of winning, without a doubt. You know, I know his abilities perfectly. He's a tough horse. But he also has a lot of speed. This is why he really likes Vincennes. For his first on this track, he finished sixth in the Prix de Bretagne last year. And I found that he ran much better than during his success in the Prix du Bourbonnais, a fortnight later. I think that for this second attempt, he was not at his best. He was back between the two “B”s in Sweden. Perhaps he had blamed the trip. In any case, he followed the same preparation as last year for this Prix de Bretagne. Also, he will be “DP”, as during his only two outings at Vincennes. Here, he is not yet at 100%, but I consider him close to his best form.” If he will make a comeback, the son of Engine Failure did not display his real value during his last race, at the end of September, where he could not do better than fourth in the Svenskt Mästerskap (Gr. I). “He was sick that dayexplains the 60-year-old Swede. Everything is back to normal.”
“I always have the Prix d’Amérique in mind”
In this first “qualification”, there is not one element which dominates the debates, as at the time of Bold Eagle or from Face Time Bourbon. And the current headliners, Horsy Dream et Idao de Tillard are absent. “My horse is not just anyone eitherresponds with a smile and a touch of humor to Håkan Arvidsson when the situation is mentioned. It is San Engine. Last year, he would have been one of the favorites for the Prix d'Amérique. So I think he can win on Sunday.” We remember that last year, the American dream was shattered shortly after his success in the Prix du Bourbonnais. San Engine having had to abandon the main event due to a leg problem. “Of course, it was a big disappointment not to be able to participate, because it is the most prestigious race. As I say, we had a horse capable of winning a Prix d'Amérique. Ten months have passed since then. We are moving forward. Now is the time for revenge. Since January, I have always had the 2025 Prix d'Amérique in mind. I think about it all the time. If the horse is top, et that happens is going well, I think the American dream is possible this year. That's my opinion. That said, we will know more after the race this Sunday.”
It is clear that San Engine is already part of the winter star cast. But after being on the sidelines for a long time this year, the San Engine Is 2024 on the same level as the San Engine 2023 ? “Yes, it's as good as last yearhe replies. For me, it's the same horse. It might even be better this winter. He hasn't raced much this season and he's only 7 years old. He's not tired. And he still trains so well.”
In the meantime, the road to the main event is clear. “If he qualifies in the Prix de Bretagne, he will return to Vincennes to compete in the last “B”, the Prix de Belgique. If he fails, he will return for the Prix de Bourgogne. This is the plan we have in mind, but nothing is 100% certain yet. In both cases, he will return to Sweden this Monday. My establishment allows me to have working comfort. He can train in good conditions.”
Also read :
– Victory for San Engine in the 2023 Prix du Bourbonnais
– San Motor on the sidelines
