Sebastian K Wins Oslo Grand Prix

Sebastian K (7m Korean-Gabriella K-Probe) won the prestigious Oslo Grand Prix (2100 meters, autostart, 1.5 million Norwegian krone) in start to finish fashion  for Ake Svanstedt, defeating fast closing Nesta Effe (6m Naglo-Etna Sec-Viking Kronos) by a length. Maharajah (8m Viking Kronos-Chili Khan-Giant Chill) finished fast from the back to be third for Orjan Kihlstrom. A good crowd was on hand despite partly cloudy, cool and occasionally rainy conditions.

Sebastian K

Maharajah followed Commander Crowe’s move toward the top earlier in the race, then dropped back to last, before starting another rush with a quarter mile to go. Commander Crowe raced first over during the middle of the race, unable to contest for the lead, before fading to last in the lane. Time of the race was 1.12.8kr in an evenly rated contest. Raja Mirchi finished fourth after making a miscue early and Viking Frecel was fifth.

Sebastian K

Earlier on the card the Radio Metro Cup was taken by BWL Champion (8g Pine Chip-Lovely-Top Love) for driver Bjorn Goop and trainer Petri Salmela in 1.12.8kr over 1609 meters, autostart. He defeated Montgomery Hill (by SJs Photo) and Acolyte Hanover (Windsong’s Legacy). BWL Champion won his elimination in 1.12.1kr defeating Vasterbo Paradise (by Dream Vacation) and O’Grady (SJs Photo). The second elimination went to Montgomery Hill driven by Flemming Jensen in 1.13.6, defeating I’m The Answer (Credit Winner) and Joke Face (Viking Kronos). The eliminations carried a purse of 100,000 krone with the final valued at 200,000 krone.

The Finn-Tack Prix (175,000 krone, 160 meters, autostart) for four and five year-old mares went to Princess Griff (4f Varenne-Fauve Grif-Viking Kronos) and Matthieu Abrivard for trainer Fabrice Souloy. She scored in 1.13.2kr to defeat Union Life (4f Not Disturb-Izakaline-Cygnus d’Odyssee) and Erik Adielsson with Alien Lady (Andover Hall) third. Bold And Fresh (Hambletonian Oaks winner) finished fifth with Dream On Hanover (4f Andover Hall-D Train-Donerail) eighth. Bold And Fresh had no wins in 13 starts in 2012 and is now winless in three 2013 appearances.

The Kolsrud Transport Elite (150,000 krone, 1609 meters, autostart) for three year-olds went to the US export Single Sock (Conway Hall-Socksy’s Sister-Credit Winner) in 1.13.0kr for Lars Anvar Kolle and trainer Frode Hamre. This was the first European start for the former Dan Daley pupil and Single Sock finished swiftly. Tumble Dust (Crazed-Affinity-Victory Dream) set the pace and held gamely for second, driven by Erik Adielsson, as the winner benefitted from a two-hole position. Let’s Dance America (Deweycheatumnhowe-Dance of Joy-Malabar Man) was third for Per Oleg Midtfjeld.

Single Sock 

The Akershus Traktors Europamatch for four and five year olds (300,000 krone, 2100 meters, autostart) went to Edward Ale (5g Here Comes Herbie-Mustang Donna-Pine Chip) driven by Peter Ingves. He scored his second victory in four 2013 starts, timed in 1.14.0kr. Crazy News (Super News) was second with US bred Kash’s Cantab third.

Barracuda River (4h Express It-Just About Enough-SJs Photo) impressively took the Gjensidige Elite fort four year-old males. He scored in 1.12.2kr in this 1609 meters, autostart event worth 200,000 krone. Favored Italy invader Pascia Lest (4m Varenne-Superiors Sun-Diamond Way) was second for Roberto Vecchione and trainer Holder Ehlert. Moving On (Quite Easy) was third. US export One In A Million (4h Donato Hanover-Mom’s Millionaire) was fourth for Vidar Hop. US shipper Solvato and Trond Smedshammer was seventh.

The day’s top class monte event at Bjerke, the Kingsrod Trading Pris over 1609 meters, autostart, purse 75,000 krone, was an easy winning open-lengths task for favored FR monte campaigner Prince de Montfort (10h Ipsos de Montfort-Eva du Verbois-Pactole de Tillard) handled by Matthieu Abrivard for owner/trainer Sebastien Guarato. He scored in 1.11.4kr for his second 2013 win in as many starts. The Prince excels in Scandinavia each year. Moon Dreamer (Dream Vacation (finished second with pacesetter Limerick (Master Thoj) third for Malin Beras.

Stall Trot Inc.

Thomas H. Hicks