Aussie News: Kiwis on fire at Menangle, Arcee Phoenix impresses

Kiwis dominate at Menangle

It was a great night for the Kiwis at Menangle.

Inter Dominion hopefuls Bet N Win and Pinseeker both scored easy wins last night enroute to Brisbane.

Bet N Win was barely out of second gear when he worked to the front, dictated terms and cruised to victory in a 2300m mobile trot with Bob Butt aboard.

It was an ideal hitout just four days after arriving in Sydney and two weeks out from the first round of Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park.

Jonny Cox has set his sights on a top five placing with Pinseeker in next month’s Brisbane Inter Dominion final.

Cox was thrilled with Pinseeker’s “stopover” Menangle win when cleared out to score by 6.7m and blazed a 25.8sec closing quarter.

“The part I was proudest of was how well he relaxed after getting far too keen in a couple of races back home,” he said.

“He got away with a comfortable middle half, so it didn’t surprise me when he ran home so quickly. He’s shown at home he’s got that sort of speed.”

Pinseeker clocked a solid 1min51.9sec mile and beat fellow Kiwi raider, the David and Stacey White-trained Betterthancash.

“He ran well, Betterthancash. He did a fair bit of work early, Whitey (David White) was thrilled with the run,” Cox said.

Both Pinseeker and Betterthancash will head to Brisbane tomorrow (Monday) and have their next starts at Albion Park on July 5.

Pinseeker will run in the opening round of Inter Dominion heats, while Betterthancash will tackle the likes of Bay Of Biscay, The Janitor and Rubira in the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun on the same night.

“I told the owners we were not coming because we think we can win the Inter Dominion, but it’s a big educational trip for the horse,” Cox said of Pinseeker.

“He thrived so well during that Cambridge trip and this series comes at a good time.

“Obviously, Leap To Fame and Don Hugo are superstars, but the series looks quite even outside of them.

“I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t make the final and if the luck and draws go his way, I think he’s a top five chance in the final.”

Oscar Bonavenabeaten, but farm from disgraced
STAR Kiwi trotter Oscar Bonavena was beaten but not disgraced at Albion Park last night.

The old boy didn’t look as sharp as the previous week when he won easily.

Last night he landed in the one-one trail and loomed ominously on the home bend, but the Grant Dixon-trained Zealous Spur led throughout to turn the tables in the previous week.

Zealous Spur kicked strongly to beat Oscar Bonavena by 1.7m in a 1min57.8sec mile rate for 2240m and clocked a sizzling 56.3sec last half.

It was part of a massive night for Dixon and wife, Trista.

Champion pacer Leap To Fame capped his preparation for the Inter Dominion pacing series when he cruised to his 53rd win from just 66 starts.

The six-year-old worked the front and bowled along in quick splits to win easily in a 1min54.7sec mile rate for the long 2680m trip.

Team Dixon also won both Australian Gold 2YO finals with the exciting Fire And Passion scoring by a staggering 27.3m in the colts and geldings and Amylee winning the fillies’ final.

In another twist, Team Dixon snared a guaranteed TAB Eureka runner when Call To Order won the $216,000 Group 2 Hayden on protest.

Attachment was first past the post but stewards overturned the result.

Arcee Phoenix stakes his claim
TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix showed he would be as hard to beat as anything in the Inter Dominion trotting series with a powerhouse first-up win at Melton last night.

Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio was happy to make a midrace move to park outsider leader Mufasa Metro before cutting him loose on the home bend.

Arcee Phoenix zoomed away to win by 8.2m in a 1min58.7sec mile rate for 2240m despite doing most of the work.