by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Nuncio returned to action Wednesday night (March 30) at Solvalla and was a very impressive winner for owner/trainer Stefan Melander in 1:53.4.

Kanal 75 photo

Nuncio was a winner in 1:53.4 in his season’s debut.

A walk in the park. Just a training performance. It was a very easy win for 5-year-old Nuncio, who last raced in November.

Now the goal is set for the Elitlopp in two months, and after the winning performance Wednesday night at Solvalla, Nuncio must be considered the favorite. Four shoes, earplugs and an open bridle — that was how Nuncio was equipped, so Melander has things to change to get Nuncio even faster. And the horse will go on from the race too.

Nuncio was in command for most of the race. He got a headstrong Orecchietti, drivien by Pasi Aikio, outside until the last quarter, when Orecchietti faded and Nuncio continued and at the finish line he was more than 10 lengths in front of Venkatesh, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, and another expat, Smilin Eli, driven by Daniel Redén. This was also the first time out this year for Smilin Eli.