Emotion overflowed after emerging Victorian star Arcee Phoenix led home another Victorian dominance in the $NZ600,000 TAB Trot.

Last year it was Just Believe beating Callmethebreeze, Queen Elida and Arcee Phoenix in a Victorian “first four.”

With Just Believe retired and Callmethebreeze recovering from foot issues, Arcee Phoenix and Queen Elida returned to do Victoria proud with a quinella at Cambridge last night.

It was an Aussie trifecta with NSW-trained The Locomotive finishing third.

Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio openly wept after the win as he spoke of the key role his late father-in-law, renowned equine vet Dr Alistair MacLean, played in Arcee Phoenix’s career.

MacLean passed away in September, last year.

“Alistair played such a big role in shaping this horse the path he’s gone on to get here,” Svanosio said.

“The horse was here as a two-year-old and didn’t race because Alistair looked at him and said, give him time. We’ve followed the pathway Alistair set for him. We all miss him, it’s such a shame he’s not here to enjoy this tonight.”

Arcee Phoenix has been a work in progress for Svanosio, who knew he didn’t quite have the best version of the horse when he tackled the inaugural TAB Trot a year earlier.

“He was at the end of a long campaign and still in his first season taking on the big boys,” he said. “We went home knowing he needed to improve that bit more.

“That’s why we brought him back last November for Addington. All those things add to getting to where we did tonight.”

Svanosio knew the importance of leading.

“I’ve spent most of his career getting him to relax and calm down at the start, but this was the time to cut him loose,” he said.

Just as excited was Victorian-based global trotting identity, Duncan McPherson, who bought the slot in the race through his Aldebaran Park brand, and banked on Arcee Phoenix for the second year in a row.

“You know how much I love trotting and what I’ve put into it to make it better Down Under, this just means the world to me, especially doing it with great people and mates,” McPherson said.

“We knew he was probably a year early last year, but coming across was part of what built him for the win tonight.

“This is a serious trotter. With all of my international connections, I hope we get the chance to see him race on the international stage.

“I just love trotting. It’s everything, which is why I’m so emotional. It just means the world, especially sharing it with these great people.”

Svanosio will skip three other major races in NZ to return home to focus on the Brisbane Inter Dominion.

The series consists of two heats and a $A500,000 final and runs from July 5 to 19 at Albion Park.

In another milestone moment, Queen Elida’s brave second placing earned her enough to become the richest Australasian trotting mare of all-time. She moved to $1,063,920, overtaking One Over Kenny’s $1,060,394.

Queen Elida will back-up in next Friday’s Lyell Creek before the Anzac and Rowe Cups and then retire to the breeding barn.

PHOTO: Race Images NZ