Bendigo trainer-driver Chris Svanosio’s whirlwind season could ascend to an even greater tier when the talented horseman brings a strong hand to Maryborough for Sunday’s trotting showcase.
The two-day Redwood Carnival peaks with Sunday’s Seelite Windows and Doors Victoria Trotters Derby at 3.47pm, when Svanosio will present two genuine chances in the $75,000 age classic.
He will take the reins of well-drawn Kyvalley Finn and also trains Anywhere Hugo, the fancied and well-bred three-year-old who last month gifted Svanosio his first Group 1 as a trainer when winning the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series final.
“Anywhere Hugo won a Group 1 a little while ago, so it’s good to have him back and up again in the Derby on Sunday,” Svanosio told Gait Speed today.
The gelding by Majestic Son has won five of his 18 starts and been in the top three on 11 occasions, including when he placed third in last Saturday’s SBG Accountants 3YO Trot at Tabcorp Park Melton.
On that occasion Anywhere Hugo was slow away and has paid the price, with stewards placing the gelding out of the draw, which will have him start from gate 13.
“I was very happy with his run,” Svanosio said. “Being drawn out the back doesn’t matter too much, it’s a long trip, so (driver) Gavin (Lang) can keep out of trouble early and I’m sure he will be running home hard at the finish.
“When you look at his sectional times (last start), Anywhere Hugo has run the quickest last mile and just kept running home the last 400 out three wide. He pulled up terrific, so I’m sure he will be fitter on Sunday.”
As mentioned, Svanosio will also field Kyvalley Finn in the Derby.
“Anywhere Hugo’s got a little bit more ability than Kyvalley Finn, but Kyvalley Finn just tries his hardest every time and he hasn’t had a lot of luck in the bigger races with the draw,” Svanosio said, before Kyvalley Finn was blessed with gate two for Saturday’s Derby.
“(From a good draw) he can get a nice trip up near them and I’m sure he will be finishing off pretty good. He’s always pretty honest.”
It could be a big day for the 36-year-old, who will also take the reins of Group 1 winning trotter Sparkling Success. He is first up from a spell on Sunday in the Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical Trotters Free For All.
It’s an important outing for his Warrnambool trainer-owner-breeder John Meade, with Sparkling Success bound for a ground-breaking trip to the US to contest the International Trot at New York’s Yonkers Raceway.
“With going to the US in mind, (John Meade’s) happy with how he’s come up,” Svanosio said. “He’s had a few trials and will kick off on Sunday in the free for all. All going good he will have a couple of runs and is due to head to America mid-September.”
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