Mellby Narrow is Derby champion

Yesterday was Trotting Derby day in Sweden. Mellby Narrow won his elimination with time equal to the best elim winners, but even from a good PP and one of the best trainers in Sweden, Mellby Narrow (by Maharajah) was almost forgotten by the bettors. It all started with a bit of drama when a couple of favourites made breaks behind the gate, a collision where Adrian Kolgjini was ejected out of his bike. Luckily he didn’t let go of the horse, and after a while when Ejnar Face (Mosaique Face) was out to get his bike wheel changed, the horses again lined up behind the starting gate. Those who made breaks in the first attempt got a second chance, a few who started really well in the first didn’t. Mellby Narrow and Special Ale (Don Fanucci Zet) both went for the lead, but Golden Kronos (Muscle Hill) was even faster and got to the top. Wise Guy ended up second over, then after 1000m advanced to outside the leader. The favourite Zarex (Readly Express) tried from behind but didn’t have his best day couldn’t catch the horses in front. In the stretch, Wise Guy looked like the winner, but made an untimely break, and Mellby Narrow – who got racing space being stuck in the pocket – finished like a whirlwind to a 31/1 victory. Second was Golden Kronos, making it a double for trainer Wäjersten, and third Carros First King (Nuncio) driven by Bjorn Goop and trained by amateur trainer Angelica Jonsson who only has four horses in total on her list!

Win time of  1.11,5a/2640 m was a new stakes record, and the victory was worth 3 million Swedish Kroner.

This was the first title for the trainer Daniel Wäjersten, the driver Magnus A Djuse and the owner/breeder Rune Anderson.

Mellby Narrow is by Swedish elite stallion Maharajah, and with Heaven’s Door as dam is the little brother of Mellby Jinx who is racing in the International Trot this coming weekend.