Arch Madness beaten a nose in Elitlopp elim
Harnesslink Admin 02:55 AM 28-May-2012 NZTCOMMENTS(0)TRACKBACKS(0)
Arch Madness, with harness racing driver Brian Sears in the sulky, was beaten by a nose by Commander Crowe, with Christophe Martens, in the second elimination in the Elitlopp on Sunday (May 27) in Solvalla.
Arch Madness took command after the first quarter, while Commander Crowe had to trot outside without cover. Down the stretch Arch Madness was still in command, but at the finish line Commander Crowe just managed to get his nose first on the line to win in 1:51.3f.
The French trotter Oyonnax, driven by Kenneth Nielsen, finished strong on the outside to finish third, just a nose in front of Classic Grand Cru with Bjorn Goop.
The Canadian entry Windsong Geant, with harness racing driver Rick Zeron aboard, is out of the Elitlopp as he finished unplaced in the first elimination.
The Norwegian owned, but Swedish bred, trotter Yarrah Boko, driven by Ulf Ohlsson, was a minor surprise as he won after a strong effort in 1:52.1f, followed by the German trotter Brioni, who won the race last year. Third was long leading Sebastian K of Sweden, while the favorite Rapide Lebel of France was fourth.
Going aound the last turn it looked like Rapide Lebel faded, but down the stretch he came back and finished strongly to secure his spot in the final.
