Svanosio sweating on a flight for Dominion hopeful

Victorian trainer Chris Svanosio loves the draw for Gotfeelingsyouknow, but now he’s just got to get the classy trotter across to New Zealand.

The Brisbane Inter Dominion runner-up firmed to $11 equal third favourite for the $500,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot after landing barrier six.

But Svanosio, one of major trotting forces in Australia, is sweating on Plan B to get Gotfeelingsyouknow across the ditch in time for the race.

“He was supposed to fly over last Saturday, but the flight just kept getting pushed back and back and back,” he said.

“We switched to flying over this Saturday and they say it should all be fine, but we thought the same last weekend.

“If all goes well, he’ll fly to Auckland Saturday, then onto Christchurch and have a day or so to settle before the race.

“It’s doable, as others have shown, but it does come down to how well he travels.”

Svanosio takes some confidence from Gotfeelingsyouknow’s extended Brisbane trip for the Inter Dominion in July.

“He settled, ate and drank-up and thrived up there,” he said. “Hopefully it’s the same this trip.”

Despite a light racing preparation at home, Svanosio insists Gotfeelingsyouknow is right where he needs to be.

“The signs are great at home. His work has been very good,” he said.

“He’ll have his final fast work here (Bendigo) on Saturday morning and then head to the airport for the flight.

“I love the draw, too. It’s about the best draw we could hope for with him.”

Svanosio is no stranger to feature NZ trotting races having tackled several in recent years with his former Inter Dominion winner Arcee Phoenix, which included winning last year’s TAB Trot at Cambridge.

Fellow Victorian trainer-driver David Miles has warned to expect big improvement on all levels from his classy mare Rockinwithattitude in the Dominion.

“I still think she’s the clear second pick in the race,” he said. “Put it this way, if she turns up at her top, and I’m confident she will, I’ll be devastated if she doesn’t finish top four.

“I don’t know if we can beat Gus because he looks to have come back super, but I’m sure she’s as good if not better than the rest.”

Miles has put the disappointment and frustration of two gallops at Kaikoura behind him

“She’s just been too fresh and above herself in those past two runs, that’s the main reason she’s made those uncharacteristic mistakes.

“Also, where she galloped those two times, there was a bit of a downhill dip in the track which she didn’t enjoy.”