by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Nuncio, driven by Stefan Melander, won for the fourth time this year Wednesday evening (May 11) at Solvalla and was immediately handed an invitation to race in the Elitlopp.

As Nuncio has drifted down the stretch in earlier races this year, Melander had put a murphy blinder on the right side and that did the trick. Nuncio kept his line and won easily in 1:53.1f, followed by Västerbo Highflyer and Nimbus CD.

“He was full of trot past the post and that Murphy blinder helped him to concentrate,” Melander said after the race. “I don’t think he has been better this year than he was today”

Earlier in the evening Melander raced French Laundry for the first time in Europe, but the 4-year-old trotter, who was made the favorite, finished out of the money.

“He will be better next time out in a mile race. Today it was 1-5/16th miles and it was his first race of the year,” Melander explained.