Prominent Victorian trainer Chris Svanosio knows how quickly Inter Dominions can change.
And he also knows how to win them, which he did last year with his star trotter Arcee Phoenix.
Svanosio is back chasing another crown with Arcee Phoenix leading a five-horse assault on the trotting series.
He described the opening round of heats as “very much a mixed bag.”
Arcee Phoenix reminded everyone, including Svanosio, he was still the stable top dog with a fantastic third after doing all the work outside the leader in his opening night heat.
In contrast, emerging star Lovemeto, who Svanosio felt could be his best chance just a couple of weeks ago, is in limbo after an uncharacteristic gallop while leading in his heat.
He’s well down the points table, but does he have another good draw in the second and last round of heats next Saturday night.
More on him soon.
Svanosio’s win of the night came when what many felt was the fifth-stringer of his raiders, Gotfeelingsyouknow, snatched a dead-heat with star Victorian mare Rockinwithattitude in their heat.
It almost cements him a spot in Saturday week’s $500,000 trotting final.
The biggest head-scratcher came when the ultra-consistent Remus Phoenix was gone with a lap to go and basically retired from his heat.
Imported mare Aldebaran Acrux ran a sound seventh and looks destined for the consolation again, which she won last year.
While all that unfolded, Svanosio wasn’t even at Albion Park.
“No, I had a couple in big races at Menangle (Sydney), so I was trying to watch it all from there,” he said.
“I just got back to the horses (Queensland) today (Sunday) and we’ve got some work to do.
“I couldn’t have been happier with Arcee Phoenix and he should build through the series like last year and relish the longer (2680m) of the final.
“Gotfeelingsyouknow isn’t pretty to watch, but showed the value of good draws and did a great job to split the prize with a star mare like Rockinwwithattitude.
“I was worried about Lovemeto before the race because I worked him at the track (Albion Park) during the week and he didn’t trot well.
“I’ll work him again on Tuesday then chat with the owners to decide if we push on. There’s no point unless he trots better Tuesday.
“Remus Phoenix was too bad to be true. I’ll get him checked right over and decide if we push on.”
In the wash-up, Svanosio looks set to have at least two finalists, but he concedes the enormity of the challenge ahead.
“Gus looks a real standout, doesn’t he?,” he said. “But all I can do is focus on my horses and have them spot on come final time.
“Arcee Phoenix especially has shown he’s a big race player and the past two runs have been the Arcee Phoenix of old.”
PHOTO: Toby Coutts
