by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Paul MacDonell and Define The World are set to ship out and battle for one of the world’s most prestigious events, the Elitlopp in Sweden.

New Image Media photo

Define The World will be making his second trip to Europe.

This will be the duo’s second trip overseas. Last year, in the Oslo Grand Prix in Norway, Define The World finished third but that was followed up by a disappointing fifth place effort in his Elitlopp elimination, which did not advance him to the final.

Define The World, a winner of more than $1.34 million, will begin his European tour much like last year in the Oslo Grand Prix on May 14, followed by the Elitlopp on May 29.

Last year was also MacDonell’s first European driving experience and the veteran driver believes his experience from last year can only better the team’s performance in the weeks ahead.

“Last year was more of a result of not knowing a lot of the horses I was in with,” MacDonell said. “(This year) I will be studying the horses a little further and a little harder; we’ll go from there.

“The track is much like our five-eighths over here with maybe a little more banked turns and a great surface. Define The World tracks the corners really well, so I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”

Trainer John Bax is no stranger to participating in the Elitlopp as the veteran conditioner will be sending out his fourth entry. In past years he has started Goodtimes, Northern Bailey and now twice with Define The World.

Define The World, a 6-year-old son of Duke Of York-Venice Holiday, will be looking to become just the second Canadian horse to win the race. Billyjojimbob became the first when he scored the upset victory in 1992.

Owned by Al Libfeld, Define The World is carrying a four win streak at Woodbine but that could change this Monday night as he will face arch-rival San Pail in the third race. Define The World will begin from post six with a first race post time scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

To watch the interview with MacDonell on the Woodbine Entertainment website, click here.