47-year-old Alessandro Gocciadoro runs one of Europe's most successful trotting stables.
And the Italian, with a branch at Solvalla, warmed up for the Elitloppet by winning the Sweden Cup in exhibition style with Bepe Bi.
Five-year-old Bepe Bi showed enormous resources already at Solvalla last year when he forced Sister Sledge to a Swedish record even though he had to go on the outside of her all the way in the Four-year-old Elite. This year Alessandro Gocciadoro had his sights set on the lead times two - and thus a much easier way to Solvalla's winner's circle.
Bepe Bi won his trial and Gocciadoro was lucky at the track draw as he got to choose first and did not hesitate when he placed Bepe Bi on track one. After a tough first 200 meters with the other trial winners, Officer Stephen and Usain Töll, Gocciadoro was basically able to march on the spot and the first lap was reached after 1.13,0. Then there was no one who could challenge Bepe Bi on speed. The five-year-old won in 1.11,6a/1.640 meters on the rain-soaked surface and was rewarded with 600.000 SEK for the triumph in the Sweden Cup.
- I am of course happy! But I also had the best horse and there was power left at the finish," said Alessandro Gocciadoro who had a horse, which certainly made itself felt even if he chose Elitloppet with Bepe Bi.
Officer Stephen did not get free space from the leader's back in second place while three-time Elitlopp participant Milliondollar Rhyme sprinted brilliantly to third place.
Alessandro Gocciadoro has two horses in tomorrow's Elitlopp; Vernissage Grif and Vivid Wise As - the warm-up for Sunday couldn't be better!
