Lovemeto seals spot in ID2026 Final

By Adam Hamilton 

Hall of Fame Kiwi horseman Graeme Rogerson has trained a Melbourne Cup winner and now wants to own an Inter Dominion winner.

Rogerson trained Efficient to win the 2007 Melbourne Cup for his close friend, leviathan owner Lloyd Williams, and he revealed it was through that relationship why his trotter Lovemeto ended up in Victoria with trainer Chris Svanosio.

“Here’s the connection,” he explained. “Alistair McLean did a lot of Lloyd’s vet work and it was through him and his daughter (Elizabeth), who is married to Chris (Svanosio) why we sent the trotter to Chris.

“We won some good races with him in NZ, but he had back problems and there’s so much work gone into him.

Lovemeto won five races, including the 2023 Northern Trotting Derby,  from 13 starts in this country for the Rogerson-Dylan Ferguson training combo before heading across the Tasman in 2024. 

“It’s a huge credit to Chris with the patience and persistence he’s shown to get the horse back like this.”

Lovemeto turned around an opening heat gallop to score a dominant heat win on Saturday night last night and booked his spot in next Saturday night’s $500,000 Grand Final.

Rogerson was trackside at Albion Park for the win after attending a friend’s wedding at Tangalooma Island the previous day.

“This is a huge thrill. I’d love to be back next week, but I’m so busy at home. It would be a huge thrill if we could repeat it in the final,” he said.

Lovemeto will deliver champion driver Kerryn Manning, who turned 50 on Friday, her 17th Inter Dominion final drive.

“Wow, I didn’t know I’d been in that many,” she said. “Growing up it’s the race you want to win. I’ve come close, but I’m yet to win one.

“The final has opened up now with the defeat of Gus. We’re right in it with a decent draw.”

Lovemeto is one of three finalists in the 13-horse field for Svanosio, who won last year’s final with Arcee Phoenix.

“We brought five trotters up and to have three make the final is amazing,” he said.

Arcee Phoenix still looks Svanosio’s best hope, but only just ahead of Lovemeto and the rejuvenated Gotfeelingsyouknow.

Arcee Phoenix had been winless in 15 runs since last year’s final before his sparkling win against Gus and others.

The seven-year-old, who also won last year’s TAB Trot, trotted a dazzling 54.7sec last half off a slot tempo in front to just hold-off stablemate Gotfeelingsyouknow.

“He looks right back to his best at the right time and getting out to the 2680m in the final will suit him even better,” he said.

“He felt great tonight and the run should have topped him right off for the final.”

Gus was $1.30 to win the final before his shock defeat. 

“I still think he went great. They walked and it was impossible for him on times,” driver Pete McMullen said.

Rogerson summed it up best.

“I thought Gus was close to a good thing for the final before tonight, but it just goes to show there’s no such thing as a certainty in racing.”