Arcee Phoenix moves up a gear

Talented trotter Arcee Phoenix (Trixton) justified his status as one of the nation’s best trotters when he led all the way for an impressive harness racing win in the $30,000 Group 3 Aldebaran Park Knight Pistol at Ballarat last night.

Nursed by driver Chris Svanosio to the first corner, Arcee Phoenix found his way to the front and from then on he was never out of second gear strolling along in the lead.

Despite a late finishing burst by Aldebaran Vera, Arcee Phoenix just stepped up a gear to defeat Aardiebythehill and Aldebaran Vera who broke near the finishing line but still held on for third.

Svanosio was satisfied after the event.

“He sort of cruised around. Obviously his biggest strength is his toughness so he’s going to need that in the Great Southern Star in a couple of weeks time. Hopefully he can come through that and we can get him ready for a few weeks time.

I’ve been wrapped with him. He’s had a bit of travelling but we’ve always looked after him. He had a lot of racing last year against the big ones and we had some awkward draws. We were beaten nine metres in last years Great Southern Star so hopefully he’ll go better this year.”

Svanosio reflected on the retirement of Just Believe.

“Just Believe was a great horse and a great advertisement for Australian Harness racing. It was fantastic to take him on with this bloke (Arcee Phoenix). We beat him once and went close on other occasions. He was well managed in his race career. I’m glad to have got to compete against him.”

Arcee Phoenix has now won 12 of his 44 race appearances for just under $430,000 in prizemoney.

With the retirement of Just Believe and the absence of last year’s Great Southern winner Callmethebreeze due to injury, Arcee Phoenix is now shaping to be Victoria’s leading contender for the $250,000 classic to be run at Melton on Saturday Feb 1 with heats earlier in the evening before the Final is raced later that night.

The Great Southern Star will be enhanced by the presence of the current Inter Dominion champion The Locomotive and star New Zealander Oscar Bonavena. The 1720 metre journey will contrast the sheer free wheeling speed of The Locomotive against the stamina of Arcee Phoenix and the sprinting prowess of Oscar Bonavena.

Inter Dominion runner up Keayang Chucky who ran a new track record in winning last week’s Hamilton Trotters Cup from 50 metres also rates a chance if connections decide to run him.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink