Talented trotter Arcee Phoenix announced his arrival at the top with a record-breaking performance in Bendigo last night.
Competing against a host of established open class performers, including Inter Dominion placegetters Queen Elida and Mufasa Metro, Arcee Phoenix trounced his rivals in the Maori Mile.
Trained and driven by Chris Svanosio, the son of Trixton led throughout in 1:53.8, shaving a tenth of a second from Sparkling Success’ track record established in the 2018 edition of the Group One.
Ironically, Sparkling Success was driven by Svanosio for trainer John Meade.
Beginning quickly to find the front from barrier two, Arcee Phoenix scored by nine metres from Mufasa Metro, with Queen Elida a metre away third.
“He was travelling so comfortably the whole way, I felt as though he had them covered, but at the same time I wasn’t getting too confident because I had Queen Elida on my back,” Svanosio said.
“In the end he did it quite easily and could’ve gone quicker if pushed up the straight.”
Setting his sights on the Great Southern Star in Melton on February 3, Svanosio may enter Arcee Phoenix in The Knight Pistol on January 20 – Ballarat Cup night.
The V L Dullard Cup in Melton the following week is also an option with the five-year-old.
“I’ll look to give him one more run before the Great Southern Star, but I’m not sure where that will be yet,” Svanosio said.
“Two weeks before Ballarat, which is two weeks before the Great Southern Star fits in well, but I may even wait until the Dullard the week before as I think Melton will suit him better.”
