by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondant

World champion Victory Tilly, now a 10-year-old, returned to action on Tuesday night in Sweden after being absent from the racing scene for nearly four months.

Kanal 75 Photo

Victory Tilly returns to the races with a win at Eskilstuna in Sweden.

Trainer and driver Stig H. Johansson found an easy race for the world’s fastest gelding at Eskilstuna and Victory Tilly won just as expected in the race over the one and five-sixteenth mile distance in a mere 2:02.2 (mile rate).

“This was by far the easiest race he ever won,” Stig H. said afterwards. “Beforehand I thought he would have to go around 2:00 to win, but that wasn’t necessary. I was very satisfied with the way he raced and I look forward to starting him again in a fortnight or so in a similar race.

“I don’t think he will be able to compete at the highest level any more — he has had many problems and age has caught up with him. But I like to drive this horse, who has meant so much to me over the years, and it’s nice to see how popular he is with the fans.”

The victory was number 64 for Victory Tilly from just 90 races.