ARCEE Phoenix stamped himself as the new trotting king when he blasted past $A1 million in prizemoney with an all-the-way win last night’s $A500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final.
He became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to do so, following Just Believe, Sundons Gift, Keystone Del and Tornado Valley.
And Arcee Phoenix, who is just now hitting his straps as a six-year-old, looks to have so much ahead. He’s won 17 of his 53 starts.
“The ability has always been there, but we’ve had to be patient and he’s rewarding us,” trainer-driver Chris Svanosio said.
“I have to thank my late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance. This horse may have even made it to the races without him.
“There’s lots of emotions tonight … excitement and relief are two … it’s been a big build-up. We did it.”
Arcee Phoenix’s win followed his triumph in NZ’s richest trotting race back in April, the $NZ600,000 TAB Trot.
“It’s been the year we always dreamed he might give us,” Svanosio said.
Arcee Phoenix used barrier one to lead easily, dictated terms and ripped home in 55.4 and 27.7sec to win by 8.5 metres.
Young Kiwi star Bet N Win ran second after trailing the winner, but lost a shoe in the early stages and driver Bob Butt said he never trotted well afterwards.
Remarkable nine-year-old Kiwi Oscar Bonavena stormed home from last to grab third.
