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 winner) 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
1. Hohneck (France) - Gabriele Gelormini - Philippe Allaire
2. Hooker Berry (France) - Nicolas Bazire - Franck Leblanc
3. Don Fanucci Zet (Sweden) - Paul Philippe Ploquin - Daniel Redén
4. Mellby Knekt (Sweden) - Magnus A Djuse - Timo Nurmos
5. Hussard Du Landret (France) - Benoît Robin - Benoît Robin
6. Borups Victory (Sweden) - Daniel Wäjersten - Daniel Wäjersten
7. The Locomotive (Australia) - Brad Hewitt - Brad Hewitt
8. Massimo Hoist (Finland) - Hannu Torvinen - Jukka Hakkarainen
