Forgotten star Parisian Artiste will add another layer to the already powerhouse team of Victorian raiders chasing the Inter Dominion trotting crown at Albion Park next month.
The injury-plagued gelding, who hasn’t raced since finishing seventh in the Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all in Christchurch on November 14, will go first-up into the opening round of Inter Dominion heats on Saturday week.
Parisian Artiste beat eventual Grand Final winner Arcee Phoenix in second round Inter Dominion heat at Albion Park last year and has only five times since running fifth to the same trotter in the final on July 19.
“We’re trying things a bit different to last year by taking him in fresh,” co-trainer Alex Ashwood said. “Last year we gave him a few lead-up runs and he peaked in that second heat and wasn’t as good in the final a week later.
“So, this time, being an older horse and having a few issues, he will go in first-up and we’ll hope he will be at his absolute top for the final.
“He had a Shepparton trial a couple of weeks back, trials again today (at Albion Park) and then it’s into the heats.
“It’s the best he’s been in a long time, soundness-wise.”
Local star Gus is a clear $1.60 favourite for the $500,000 trotting final on July 18, but Victorians are six of the next seven in betting.
“We’ve got some nice (Victorian) trotters going up, but I think Susan Is Her Name is the most talented trotter in the series, including Gus. She’s obviously had her issues, too, but if she gets through the series at her best, she’s the one to beat. She is the only trotter to have beaten Keayang Zahara,” Ashwood said.
“Gus and Arcee Phoenix are the experienced ones and the great stayers, who have been there and done it before.”
Defending champion Arcee Phoenix turned around some indifferent form with a fantastic third to other Inter Dominion-bound Victorians Keayang Stuka and Rocknwithattitude at Melton last Saturday night.
“He went really well and I think he can keep coming fitness-wise, too,” trainer-driver Chris Svanosio said. “Getting out to the longer 2700m will also suit him more than others.”
Svanosio will have four, maybe even five trotters in the series.
“Lovemeto, Remus Phoenix and Aldebaran Acrux are the other definites and there’s a chance Gotfeelingsyouknow will go as well,” he said.
Despite having stable stars Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini on the sidelines, Victoria’s Team Lee will still have a genuine contender in Keayang Stuka.
“He’s back to his best and winning last week will be good for confidence,” driver Jason Lee said. “He’s been to an Inter Dominion before (Sydney, 2024) when he got through the series so well, his last run (third in the Grand Final) was his best.”
Team Lee will also use Saturday night’s Melton trotting free-for-all to fine tune classy four-year-old mare Jilliby Dreamlover for a Brisbane raid on the $150,000 Group 1 Great Square on Saturday week.
Another Victorian, Mick Bellman’s 2025 3YO Trotter of the Year Mecarno, is $3.50 favourite for the Great Square.
Bellman has sharpened him up with two solid runs against the open-class free-for-allers at Melton in recent weeks.
