By Adam Hamilton
A key pointer to the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot will play out in country Victoria tonight.
Pre-post favourite and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix will clash with Brisbane Inter Dominion heat winner and finalist Parisian Artiste in a trial.
It will be the second time in the space of six days the pair have clashed at the trials.
Parisian Artiste led throughout from a standing-start to beat a softly driven Arcee Phoenix at Melton last Tuesday.
And they may even clash again at Menangle when they return to racing.
In the quest to get standing-start race experience before the Dominion, they could tackle the $30,600 Menangle Trotters Cup, a 2300m discretionary handicap.
Parisian Artiste’s trainer Alex Ashwood said Menangle was almost certain.
“That’s the plan if he trials as well as we expect again at Bendigo,” he said.
“He’s pretty forward and will be ready to go after this next trial.”
Like Arcee Phoenix, who last raced when he won the Brisbane Inter Dominion final at Albion Park on July 19, Parisian Artiste hasn’t started since finishing fifth in that same race.
Connections of both star trotters are close and have booked flights to Addington for the two feature trotting races in NZ Cup Week.
“He’s a stronger stayer and likes the stand (start), so we think the Dominion will suit him,” Ashwood said.
In an exciting twist, Ashwood said Parisian Artiste could have extended stay in NZ.
“We’ve got in mind staying after Addington and taking him up to Auckland,” Ashwood said.
The key target would be the $100,000 Group 1 National Trot at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve.
“It’s an attractive option because we know he goes so well in that direction,” Ashwood said. “He does all his work that way home and trots better and with less gear than he has to wear in the races here.”
