Star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix is right on target for next month’s Brisbane Inter Dominion series.
Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio was thrilled with the six-year-old’s trial win at Melton last night (Tuesday) and confirmed he would return to racing in a free-for-all at the same track on Saturday week.
“That’ll be his only lead-up run before we head to Brisbane,” he said.
“He felt sharp and hit the line well in the trial. I know Don Hugo and Leap To Fame are back racing earlier than my guy after Cambridge, but I had to do what I think is right by my horse.
“I’m confident with a run next week under his belt, he’ll be ready for Brisbane and build through the series.”
In a rapidly evolving trotting series, Arcee Phoenix will challenge for pre-post favouritism for the $500,000 final on July 19.
“Put it this way, I wouldn’t trade him for anything else in the series,” Svanosio said.
“I’ve seen a bit of the Kiwis, Oscar Bonavena and Bet N Win, and I respect them, but I’m sure we’re as good as them.
“I’m really excited about the series with a horse who is right at the peak of his powers.”
Svanosio said Arcee Phoenix was also well conditioned for his upcoming travel.
“He’s had three trips to NZ over the past 16 months and he’s been to Albion Park and run well before, too,” he said.
“It was great to hear Dylan Ferguson say how much bigger and better he looked and handled everything when he looked after him for Cambridge this year compared to 12 months earlier.”
Svanosio said his talented US-bred trotting mare Aldebaran Acrux may also head north with Arcee Phoenix.
“We’ll use Saturday night’s race as a guide, she’s in the mares’ trotting free-for-all,” he said. “If she runs as well as expected, she’ll go up, too.”