Keayang Stuka (inside)
MILLIONAIRE trotter Arcee Phoenix will defend his Inter Dominion crown in Brisbane next month.
Last night’s Melton free-for-all was D-Day for gelding and he delighted trainer-driver Chris Svanosio with a close and fighting third to Keayang Stuka and Rocknwithattitude, who are also both Brisbane-bound.
“That was really good second-up. He was tough outside a couple of really nice horses who are going to be very competitive in Brisbane,” Svanosio said.
“He trotted really well and just kept coming. He was so strong to the line, which was really pleasing.
“I’m sure he’ll keep getting fitter, too and the longer the races will suit even better as well.”
Arcee Phoenix will be one of four or five trotters Svanosio will take to Brisbane via road next weekend.
“He’s locked in now, so is Lovemeto, Remus Phoenix and Aldebaran Acrux,” he said. “Gotfeelingsyouknow was much better last night as well and if the owners are keen, I’ll probably take him up as well to give us five runners.”
Keayang Stuka followed some strong placings to return to winning form after a lovely Jason Lee drive last night.
“He was terrific, nice to get a confidence-boosting run into him,” Lee said.
“He’s always been a nice trotter since four and obviously had that breakout campaign when he raced through the Inter Dominion (third in Sydney final in December 2024), so we know he can handle the series.”
David Miles praised Lee’s tactical driver after finishing second on star mare Rocknwithattitude.
“It was a good drive by Jase to make me really work into that first bend to get the lead, it took a bit out of us,” he told Campbell’s Comments.
“I was very happy, we burnt off the arm. I think those first three horses (Keayang Zahara, Rocknwithattitude and Arcee Phoenix) will do a good job in Queensland, but in saying that the best trotter racing in Australia at the moment is Gus in Queensland.
“My mare will take a lot from, after the race she really knew she’d had a run.”
Last year’s Australian 3YO Trotter of the Year, Mecarno, also caught the eye in fifth spot behind Keayang Stuka last night.
He is also Brisbane-bound, but for the $150,000 Group 1 Great Square on July 4.
Trainer-driver Michael Bellman was thrilled with the run after getting back to near last in an on-pace dominated race.
“We were a long way off them, but we weren’t too concerned about tonight, he needed another run and some miles into his legs,” he said.
“People forget he’s only had 17 starts and he’s tackling the big guns. We’re stoked with him and they’ve gone 27.8sec off the back and he’s made really good ground from the 500-200m and then held his own after that.
“He always tries his 110 per cent and his heart rate was 73 when he came back, so everything is ticking along and we’re excited to get back to our own age group and see where we are really at because we’ve just been poking along and following the free-for-allers.”
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
