Reigning Inter Dominion champ settles into Brisbane base

Reigning Inter Dominion trotting champion Arcee Phoenix (Trixton) has safely arrived in Queensland after a two-day road trip ahead of another crack at the prestigious harness racing series.

Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio was relieved to have the long haul behind him, but pleased with how his team has handled the journey.

“They’ve all handled it very well. But it certainly hasn’t got any shorter!” Svanosio laughed.

“We left early Saturday morning, had an overnight stop at Coonabarabran and arrived late Sunday afternoon.”

Svanosio, who trains at Romsey on Melbourne’s northern fringe, made the journey with his father Peter.

Headlining the travelling team is millionaire trotter Arcee Phoenix and fellow squaregaiters Lovemeto, Remus Phoenix, Aldebaran Acrux and Gotfeelingsyouknow.  The team’s sole pacing representative is the handy three year old Co Captain, a winner of the Reg Withers Classic at Metropolitan grade earlier this year.

“They were probably all carrying a little bit of extra condition before we left, but the trip will have tightened them up,” Svanosio said.

The Svanosios will be based at the property of friends Steve and Sharon Furey at Donnybrook, about 50 minutes from Albion Park, for the three-week campaign.

“Dad and I jogged them today and they all seemed well,” Svanosio said.

“We’re planning to take them into Albion Park on Wednesday morning for a hit-out.”

The 2026 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion series begins at Albion Park this Saturday night (July 4), with a second round of heats on July 11 before the $1 million pacing and $500,000 trotting Grand Finals on July 18.

Arcee Phoenix heads north after an encouraging third placing at Melton, beaten just 1.6 metres by Keayang Stuka and Rockinwithattitude.

“Those two are very smart horses and to sit outside them, I was rapt with the way he went,” Svanosio said.

“That was only his second run back and he trotted beautifully. I was a little concerned he hadn’t had the ideal lead-up, but he’ll improve right through the series as his fitness builds.”

The seven-year-old has now raced 67 times for 17 wins and 23 placings, with earnings well in excess of $1 million.

Before claiming last year’s Inter Dominion crown in Brisbane, Arcee Phoenix announced himself on the international stage with victory in the $NZ600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge on April 4.

“We’re really looking forward to the next few weeks and hopefully they all perform well,” Svanosio said.

“We’ve certainly been enjoying ourselves with the terrific weather. I’m in shorts and a T-shirt at the moment.”

 

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink