In a memorable stretch battle, Triton Sund held off the tenacious Oiseau de Feux to capture the $215,000 (CDN) Olympic Trot in Aby, Sweden today in World Record time
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With the Jorma Kontio-driven Oiseau de Feux on the lead for the majority of the race, Örjan Kihlström guided Triton Sund (Viking Kronos - Jade Sund) into position third over at the mid-way mark of the 2,140 metre race. With 800 metres to go, first-up Garland Kronos made a break in stride and Kihlström tipped his charge three-wide around the final turn to tussle with the pacesetter while last year's winner Torvald Palema loomed large in the pocket.
As the horses dueled down the lane, Triton Sund was able to drive past and score the win over a tough Oiseau de Feux by a neck in 1.11,1 - making him the fastest horse over Aby in a race of that distance and equaling Jag de Bellouet's World Record time set in 2006. Torvald Palema finished third.
"I have the best horse in Sweden, wouldn’t you say?", said trainer Stefan Hultman to ATG and the more than 17,000 people in attendance after the race. "He's a remarkable horse. Today we raced him without shoes in front, and his gait improved even further. Amazing to see an eight-year-old that still develops, right?"