Three tracks, three states and one very busy night for Svanosio stable

Highly successful Victorian harness racing trainer Chris Svanosio will almost certainly have a few important reminders programmed into his mobile phone tomorrow night (July 4).

While the five stable representatives in the opening night heats of the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Trotting Championship at Albion Park in Brisbane are taking the limelight, Team Svanosio is also contesting features at Menangle in Sydney and Melton in Victoria

It’ll be one of the busiest nights of the Romsey horseman’s career, and all within the space of a few hectic hours.

“It’s taken a lot of time to organise, and it’s been a bit of a nightmare, to be honest, but we’re all really looking forward to it,” Svanosio said.

“I’ve got Dad (Peter) up here and a lot of other good people around me, so it should all work out okay.”

While Svanosio will be at Menangle to drive two stable runners, his attention will inevitably be drawn north to Albion Park for the opening two heats of the ID26 Trotters series.

Reigning Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix (Trixton) headlines a powerful quartet in the opening heat alongside Gotfeelingsyouknow, Remus Phoenix and Aldebaran Acrux, while in-form square gaiter Lovemeto lines up as the stable’s sole representative in the second qualifier.

“Of course I would have loved to be at Albion Park, but the two runners racing for us at Menangle aren’t that easy to handle,” Svanosio said.

“Kyvalley Diablo and Sebastians Waiting are probably two of the maddest horses going around. Jarrod Alchin’s looking after them at his property and the reports are that the horses are off their heads! I’d love to be in Brisbane, but I couldn’t put anyone else on those two!”

Kyvalley Diablo was super impressive at his debut when he messed up the start at Bendigo last month but strode away to win with ease, and has drawn barrier six in the $50,000 2YO Trot NSW Final (8.18pm). His travelling companion Sebastians Waiting is also a last-start Bendigo winner and contests the $50,000 4YO and 5YO Trot NSW Final (9.24pm).

“Kyvalley Diablo has won trials at Melton and Bendigo since that Bendigo run and he was good, so hopefully he’s maturing,” Svanosio said.

“He can be quite well once you get him going, but he’s a handful before that, so you just hold your breath.

“Sebastians Waiting isn’t easy either. He’s a massive horse, about 16 or 17 hands high, who puts his head in the air and away he goes.”

The stable’s marathon evening actually begins at Melton, where Freight Shaker, to be driven by Ross Payne, resumes from a spell in the Aldebaran Park Trot (5.07pm) from barrier three.

Attention will then quickly switch to Albion Park, where the world’s winningest female driver, Kerryn Manning, has been entrusted with the reins of reigning Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix.

“When I rang Kez and offered her the drive, she was quite surprised and didn’t know what to say, but I think she was pretty pleased,” Svanosio said.

“This will be the first time she has driven the horse, but Kez knows her way around and there won’t be a problem.

“Taylor Youl, who works for us, is the regular driver of Remus Phoenix and they’ve been going well, while Tayla French will drive Aldebaran Acrux.

“We decided on a local in Angus Garrard to drive Gotfeelingsyouknow from the pole.

“Our only runner in the second heat, Lovemeto, will also be driven by Kez. They’ve been going great, with three wins and three placings from their past six starts.

“We took all of them into Albion Park for an early morning hit-out and a look around during the week. It was a big buzz for Dad to have a drive on the track with Remus Phoenix and Aldebaran Acrux. Tayla (French) was also there to give us a hand.

“All the horses have settled in so well. We are so lucky to be stabled at Steve and Sharon Furey’s property – it just feels like home, but the weather is way better!”

 

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink