Aussie trotter's horror European draw

IT IS hard enough trying to qualify for the Elitlopp, let alone having to overcome an awful barrier draw.

That's now the challenge ahead for Aussie Inter Dominion winner The Locomotive at Solvalla in Stockholm on Sunday.

Hopes of a good draw where trainer-driver Brad Hewitt could utilise The Locomotive's dazzling gate speed were dashed when he drew barrier seven, second from the outside.

In contrast, past Elitlopp winners Hohneck (2023) drew gate one and Don Fannuci Zet (2021) drew three in the same heat (heat two) as The Locomotive.

The other past winner in the series, Etonnant (2022) drew gate two in the first heat which also includes big gun Francesco Zet (gate two).

The Locomotive is just the fourth Aussie-owned trotter to contest the Elitlopp heats and none have yet qualified for the Final.

ELITLOPP HEATS

HEAT 1
Post - Horse (Country) - Driver - Trainer

1. Etonnant (France) - Anthony Barrier - Richard Westerink
2. Francesco Zet (Sweden) - Örjan Kihlström - Daniel Redén
3. Go On Boy (France) - Romain Derieux - Romain Derieux
4. Mellby Jinx (Sweden) - Mats E Djuse - Daniel Wäjersten
5. Logan Park (Canada) - Doug McNair - Robert Fellows
6. A Fair Day (Sweden) - Oscar Ginman - Elisabeth Almheden
7. Charron (Norway) - Magnus Teien Gundersen - Geir Vegard Gundersen
8. Always EK (Italy) - Alessandro Gocciadoro - Alessandro Gocciadoro

HEAT 2
Post - Horse (Country) - Driver - Trainer

Hohneck (France) - Gabriele Gelormini - Philippe Allaire

Hooker Berry (France) - Nicolas Bazire - Franck Leblanc

Don Fanucci Zet (Sweden) - Paul Philippe Ploquin - Daniel Redén

Mellby Knekt (Sweden) - Magnus A Djuse - Timo Nurmos

Hussard Du Landret (France) - Benoît Robin - Benoît Robin

Borups Victory (Sweden) - Daniel Wäjersten - Daniel Wäjersten

The Locomotive (Australia) - Brad Hewitt - Brad Hewitt

Massimo Hoist (Finland) - Hannu Torvinen - Jukka Hakkarainen

• ADAM HAMILTON, HRA Media