Trainer Chris Svanosio admits the long term future of his Inter Dominion winner Arcee Phoenix is uncertain.
The millionaire trotter started his title defence in last month’s Brisbane Inter Dominion so well with a third and a win in his two heats, but ran miles below his best when beaten a long way from home and distant 11th to Gus in the final on July 18.
“We had him fully checked over and there’s nothing serious, just a few little niggles,” Svanosio said. “He’s having a month off and then we’ll bring him up for the big summer races here (in Victoria) and hopefully he can win one of them.
“We might need to be more selective and do less travel.
“The reality is, I don’t know how much longer he’s got left (racing), but we’ll see when we get him back again later in the year.”
Arcee Phoenix, a rising eight-year-old, has raced 70 times for 18 wins, 24 placings and banked over $1.1 million.
His major wins came last year in the Brisbane Inter Dominion and the ill-fated $NZ600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge in NZ.
Stablemate Remus Phoenix has also been cleared of any major issues after being scratched mid-series from last month’s Inter Dominion.
“Like Arcee Phoenix, he’ll have a month off now and get set for the summer races,” Svanosio said.
It certainly wasn’t all disappointment in Brisbane for Svanosio with Gotfeelingsyouknow, who many felt was his fourth stringer in the series, finishing a close second to Gus in the final after a win and a close second in his two heats.
“He was fantastic. The ability has always been there, but he’s had his issues along the way,” Svanosio said.
“He and Lovemeto have just had an easy couple of weeks and now jogging and swimming.
“They’ll both be set for the (Group 1) Bill Collins Sprint on Victoria Cup night (October 17 at Melton).”
Svanosio said both were a chance of heading to the huge NZ Cup Week in November at Addington in Christchurch.
“It’s an option, but they’ll both have to show they are racing well enough at the time, and their owners would have to be supportive, to take them on a trip like that,” he said.
More immediately, Svanosio’s focus returns to Melton Saturday night where his emerging gelding Freight Shaker chases career win seven in the Aldebaran Park Trot (race three) from, a suitable gate five.
“Totally forget last week when he was completely wiped out,” he said.
“It’s a good race this week, but he’s drawn better than many of his main dangers and I’m sure he will run well with better luck than last week.”
Andy Gath’s exciting Alrighty, who races in the colours of the former trotting great Maori’s Idol, looks the main danger despite an outside back row draw after two impressive wins this campaign.
PHOTOS:
- Arcee Phoenix winning 2025 Inter Dom final – Dan Costello
- Gotfeelingsyouknow running second in 2026 Inter Dominion final to Gus – Toby Coutts
- Freight Shaker winning at Melton – Stuart McCormick
