Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O'Connor's eye in the world of harness racing...
THE HERO
CHRIS SVANOSIO
Arcee Phoenix has already been the hero in this column before, so let’s shine the spotlight on his astute trainer-driver.
The man they call “Snooze” completed a lifelong dream when his stable star powered to victory in the weekend’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final at Albion Park.
It was a perfectly executed long-range plan from the Romsey horseman, who gave Arcee Phoenix a little break after his TAB Trot win at Cambridge and then tuned him up for Queensland with a strong first-up victory at Melton on June 21.
He ran well in both Inter Dominion heats and then came up with the coveted barrier one for the $500,000 grand final, which he used perfectly on his way to an all-the-way win on Saturday night.
Mission complete!
HOW GOOD WAS…
AMAZING ANNABELLE
It was great to see a rising star of the sport take out the Mini Trots Inter Dominion Championship at Albion Park.
Annabelle Stanley and her best mate Whatarose claimed victory in the ponies’ division of the series last Saturday night.
It capped a big night for the Stanley family, with Annabelle’s father Mick preparing Soho Americano to win the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on the same card.
You can watch the replay of Annabelle’s win here.
ON THE RISE…
BLAKE PACE
It was great to see young reinsman Blake Pace land his first career double at Balllarat on Thursday night.
The 20-year-old scored with Steven Zammit-trained Speedy Healey and the Bernard Alder-prepared Skyz Above in what was a memorable evening at Bray Raceway.
Blake is the son of experienced trainer-driver Darren and now has 34 wins to his name.
JACKPOTS
A $10,000 boost on Saturday night’s race one First 4 pool at Melton will be followed by a fresh approach to the jackpot allocations in August.
Next month, races 1-4 on the Saturday night card will carry $2000 jackpots, with projected pools of $10,000.
FROM THE RACING OFFICE…
NMW RACES
I mentioned a NMW (Last 6 Months) Pace in this space a few weeks ago and it’s worth outlining how it has actually taken shape ahead of its staging tomorrow night at Melton.
Essentially, the race has been designed to give horses who won a “metro” event some time ago another chance at the NMW circuit given significant time has elapsed since their success. This might provide a more competitive option away from standard rating races.
The number of “metro” wins for the eight acceptors (Layden has been scratched) is as follows:
CEE CEE IN AMERICA 0
CHEERSTOLOU 0
DANCE AWAY 1
TRIPLE ROCK SAINT 1
WATTLEBANK ARNIE 1
LAYDEN 2
MAGIC MIKE 3
CLASSY OPERATOR 5
Another NMW (Last 6 Months) Pace has been programmed for Melton on August 9.
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK…
ONA MERRY DANCE
I’m not dropping off Rory Coverdale’s pacer after her third placing at Ballarat on Thursday night.
I fancied her in the small five-horse NR-up-to-39 event at Bray Raceway on the back of some solid prior efforts and she struggled to get clear air in the home straight off a slow tempo.
Reckon the eight-year-old mare can be winning a similar race in the near future.
SOMETHING TO PONDER…
There’s been plenty of talk on social media this week about the format of the time-honoured Inter Dominion series.
And this has largely been due to the two favourites – Arcee Phoenix and Leap To Fame – leading and winning what some have seen as lack-lustre grand finals.
For me, as the most avid of harness racing fans, these 3157m features did feel a little on the long side.
And plenty has been discussed about the decision to run just two rounds of heats (previously three) for the pacers and trotters.
Personally, I’d prefer the grand final over the middle trip – 2240m at Melton or 2138m at Albion Park – and on the back of three rounds of heats.
Having The Creek as the home of the series means there’s no significant travel for horses and participants, which had been an issue in recent series in Victoria and New South Wales. These two states had included regional venues, which added to the grueling nature of the championships.
I love the war of attrition that the three heats provide, and I feel the middle trip is the right distance range to ensure an action-packed decider.
What do you think?
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The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.