Barrier gods smile on Arcee Phoenix

Chris Svanosio acknowledged the harness racing gods finally smiled upon his emerging star trotter Arcee Phoenix (Trixton) when the barriers were drawn for the $600,000 Trot Slot at Cambridge on Friday night.

The five-year-old son of Trixton was allocated barrier two, the best possible alley after the preferential pole draw for Queen Elida who is the only mare in the race.

“That barrier is a big help,” Svanosio said.

“It’s a welcome change from what he normally draws, he’s drawn barrier seven more times than I could count,” he said.

Svanosio couldn’t be happier with Arcee Phoenix heading into the first slot race for trotters in Australasia.

“He is terrific,” he said.

“I took him in to Cambridge on Tuesday to have a look at the track and he handled it no worries,” he said.

Svanosio believes Nathan Jack, who drives the Anton Golino trained Callmethebreeze holds the key to the speed map from barrier four.

“I think Callmethebreeze could cross us all if Nathan wants to,” he said.

“My horse has gate speed without being brilliant from the mobile and there is always a chance that he could gallop if I really asked him to come out, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Arcee Phoenix served notice he will be a key player in the Trot Slot with an impressive all the way win defeating Just Believe in the Uncle Petrika Free For All rating 1:53.5 at his last outing in Australia.

Svanosio said he had visions of Arcee Phoenix reaching the elite level when he was runner up behind Cravache Dor in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series (3YO Colts & Geldings) Final 16 months ago.

“That was his last start as a three-year-old and he came better at four and then better again this season,” he said.

Svanosio will resist the temptation to remain in New Zealand and contest the Group 1 National Trot and Group 1 Rowe Cup.

“He is going straight home to the paddock after the race,” he said.

“He seems likely to keep improving and we want to give him every chance to do so.”

Arcee Phoenix ($4.40) is on the third line of betting behind fellow Australians Just Believe ($2.25) who has drawn favourably in barrier three and the likely leader Callmethebreeze ($3.20).

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink