Arcee Phoenix built his case for favouritism in next month’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship with an arrogant first-up win at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday night.
Having his first run since claiming the TAB Trot slot race in Cambridge during April, the six-year-old sat parked for more than a lap and roared away from his rivals in the home straight to claim an 8.2m victory in the Yabby Dam Farms Trotters Free For All.
Harold Smith grabbed second ahead of Im Bobby, who darted home along the inside to finish third.
Arcee Phoenix’s next appearance will be in the opening round of Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on July 5.
“Obviously I had the option to follow Mufasa Metro early, but I was happy to do a bit of work on him and find out where he’s at. He’s probably carrying a few extra kilos, so a good hit-out will do him good hopefully,” Arcee Phoenix’s trainer-driver Chris Svanosio said.
“Touch wood, everything has just been perfect since he’s come back from New Zealand. We were able to give him three easy weeks, a bit of time at the water walker, and I was worried I was cutting it a little bit fine maybe to get him fit, but he’s just come up so good.
“I’m hoping he comes through that run good, and we will look to get him up to Queensland next weekend.”
Arcee Phoenix has quickly emerged as Victoria’s best chance of claiming Inter Dominion glory with news that gun trotters Keayang Zahara and Susan Is Her Name won’t be contesting the time-honoured series.
“We’ve been trying to worry about our horse but obviously they’re some highly-talented horses that aren’t going to be there, so we’re hoping we’re there fit and well,” Svanosio said.
“There’ll still be some really nice horses there, but we think this bloke’s ready to take them all on.”
The 2025 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship will be contested across just two rounds of heats and then the final on July 17.
