Arcee Phoenix winning the 2025 Inter Dominion - Photo Dan Costello
FORMER great pacer Christian Cullen would be the highest profile horse named after a sporting great in this part of the world, but Arcee Phoenix is following in his hoofprints.
While Christian Cullen was named after an All Blacks superstar of the same name, the Arcee Phoenix connection is a little more cryptic.
The newly crowned Inter Dominion trotting champion was given his name by managing owner Ashley Haynes to honour legendary Assumption College AFL coach Ray Carroll – hence the “Arcee” moniker.
Carroll has taken a keen interest in Arcee Phoenix’s career.
“He rang me after the race to say he watched and was thrilled for the team,” Harness Racing Australia’s Toby McKinnon said.
Carroll WAS sport at Assumption College in Kilmore, spending 53 years across senior coaching roles in AFL and cricket.
Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio has channelled Carroll’s coaching skills, patience and ability to nurture talent to make Arcee Phoenix the star he is today.
It’s a long way from the raw, headstrong talent he was as a youngster.
“We spent so long trying to calm him and slow him down, so we could get to this stage and let him loose when we needed to,” Svanosio said.
“It’s taken patience, but when you know the ability is there it’s worth it.”
You think back just 15 months ago when Arcee Phoenix went to the TAB Trot in Cambridge and ran sound fourth to Just Believe.
Svanosio went with mixed emotions and knowing Arcee Phoenix wasn’t quite ready.
“I remember saying after that race, he needs to find another length or two to be up with the very best, but we thought he could … and it helps Just Believe retired,” he said.
“We went back again last November and he ran some top races without winning, then we got the breakthrough win we’d be hoping for in Cambridge.”
That was the TAB Trot on April 4.
It was a line in the sand moment and Arcee Phoenix hasn’t looked back.
Although beaten in both qualifying heats of this Brisbane Inter Dominion, Arcee Phoenix drew poorly and ran as well as anything in his two qualifiers.
Svanosio, borrowing from the patience of his one-time “mentor” and boss Chris Lang, was content.
“I’d hoped the luck would go our way after some bad draws and we’d get a good one in the final, which we did,” he said.
“I wasn’t sure he’d lead, but I thought we had a good chance and you’d much rather one than wide or the back row.
“When he held them, I was a bit anxious when Bet N Win was able to drop onto my back, but I thought he was my main danger and at least I knew where he was.
“My horse did get a bit too keen in front, which wasn’t ideal, but we got away with a good run and he won well.
“It’s such a thrill. You grow up watching the great horses win Inter Dominions and to do it yourself is amazing.”
Arcee Phoenix will now target another trip to NZ.
The Group 1 Dominion at Addington in November is the next major goal.
“We’ll get him home for a bit of a break and then, all going well, plot the path towards Christchurch,” Svanosio said.
PHOTO: Dan Costello
