The Locomotive's Swedish sojourn to continue, despite Elitlopp disappointment
Star Australian trotter The Locomotive will continue his Swedish campaign despite the disappointment of missing a spot in the Elitlopp final last night.
Trainer-driver Brad Hewitt was deflated with the result but pleased with The Locomotive's effort when sixth in the second Elitlopp heat from which only the first four progressed to the final two hours later.
Hewitt snagged the five-year-old back from his wide draw (gate seven) and settled last of the eight runners while his key rivals dictated terms up front and filled the top three placings (Don Fanucci Jet beat Borups Victory with Hohneck third).
The Locomotive finished strongly late without ever threatening.
'It was always going to be a big challenge and then the wide draw made it so much harder, almost impossible to be honest,' Hewitt said.
'To have any chance, we needed the leaders to really run along, but our heat was much slower than the first heat, so we had no chance of making the ground we needed to qualify from so far.
'It's disappointing on that level, but I was proud of the way he finished the race off against some of the best trotters in the world.
'He came through the run well. He pulled-up great and his heart rate showed he's very fit.
'It's given us the confidence we need to push on and leave him here for another few races.'
Hewitt will return home to his big team of horses in Goulburn, leaving The Locomotive with trainer Susanne Frang, partner of champion driver Magnus Djuse.
The Locomotive's next start is likely to be the Group 1 Norbottens Stora Pris in Boden on June 14.
It's a race former Aussie champion Just Believe ran one of the biggest performances of his career in when second to local star Francesco Zet in two years ago.
'Given the Inter Dominion is in July and he'll miss it, there isn't much for him back home until early next year,' Hewitt said.
'As long as he's going to be competitive, it makes sense to leave him there for another few races to try and pick up a placing in a feature, which would only enhance his value as a stallion for later on.'
Hewitt said the whole Elitlopp experience was beyond belief.
'Nothing prepares you for it. You watch at home, but to be here and feel the energy and passion for it all … it's nuts,' he said.
'We didn't get the result we hoped for, but we've all had the experience of a lifetime and the support and respect for our horse over here has been incredible.'
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