Arcee Phoenix’s win special

The post-race interviews summed up how special the win by Arcee Phoenix (Trixton) was in the Listed $600,000 The TAB Trot at Cambridge tonight.

As sometimes happens in big money races, the script got completely ripped up as both I’m Ready Jet and Oscar Bonavena broke in the score up.

“It wasn’t ideal. The ones either side of him galloped and Oscar Bonavena was a bit out of control. I just had to stay in front of The Locomotive and wait for Oscar to get out of my way. This bloke was watching the gallopers but luckily he kept trotting. He handled it pretty good and finding the front was crucial to his chances,” winning trainer and driver Chris Svanosio told FNL viewers.

After the early carnage Svanosio from barrier four was able to navigate his way to the front.

“I thought if I could lead I could win. He’s an amazing horse. He was jogging along that easy he was just wanting competition. He’s such a good front runner it’s just that I haven’t had him there that often.”

Coming down the straight it looked as though Queen Elida who had had a soft trip, would get up the passing lane and nail Arcee Phoenix.

“I just wanted to get to the line. I knew Queen Elida was coming and I was hoping he could just keep going, which he did.”

Ash Haynes who bred and owns Arcee Pheonix was seen dancing post-race and hugging slot holder Duncan McPherson from Aldebaran Park who was understandably over the moon about the win.

“The hospitality here has been amazing. To Duncan McPherson from Aldebaran Park, we’ve used his slot. To win the race is just beyond our dreams. To Chris Svanosio and his team, what a wonderful performance. He’s been so good at managing this horse and to get him here for a second year is amazing.”

It was a very emotional moment for McPherson who has championed trotters in the Southern Hemisphere.

“I’ve promoted trotters internationally for twenty years in Australia. It’s like climbing a mountain (pause). I’ve known Chris for a long long time. I did a deal with Chris last year and said if we don’t win it this year we’ll win it the next year. I’ve been about globalisation of trotters in the Southern Hemisphere and tonight we climbed a mountain. Hopefully the rest of the world sees this bloke. I know all my friends in Sweden and America are watching. I hope the family gets an opportunity to take him internationally.”

McPherson also paid homage to his family who encouraged his involvement in the sport.

“It starts with my grandmother who had her first horse in 1958. My father passed away when I was fifteen. In his will he said to my mother that there were a few horses there and you make sure my boy (McPherson) takes them and here we are.”

The winning margin was three quarters of a length with new millionaire trotter Queen Elida finishing second and The Locomotive a length and three quarters back in third, making it an Aussie trifecta.

ARCEE PHOENIX REPLAY

The winning time of 2-38.4 broke the New Zealand record for the 2200 metre mobile of 2-39.1 previously held by Sundees Son.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink