by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

Defending champion Nuncio, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, finished third in an Elitlopp test Wednesday night (May 10) at Solvalla.

After his flop in the Olympic Trot at Aby 10 days ago, where Nuncio for the first time ever made a break from the start, the race Wednesday was eagerly awaited, to see if Nuncio would be able to make it to the Elitlopp.

Kanal 75 photo

Västerbo Highflyer won very easily in 1:52.4f, followed two lengths behind by Sliding Home and Nuncio a further two lengths behind.

Kihlström eased Nuncio from the start, but soon found a place second over and with 600 meters to go Kihlström made his move. Nuncio had to trot three wide around the last bend and couldn’t get hold of long leading Västerbo Highflyer, driven by Johan Untersteiner, and Sliding Home, driven by Jennifer Tillman.

Västerbo Highflyer won very easily in 1:52.4f, followed two lengths behind by Sliding Home and Nuncio a further two lengths behind.

“I think he needed the race,” Kihlström said. “Round the last bend, I could feel that he was going out of gas. He has not raced for some time, and he will go on from this race.”

“I think he raced good,” Stefan Melander, Nuncio‘s owner and trainer said. “It was an impossible task to catch the leader, who went :27.3 the last quarter.”

But will we see Nuncio in the Elitlopp?

Stefan Melander has not made his mind up yet.