Finley trotter bound for stardom?

By Gus Underwood

Jan 29, 2025

After the latest showing, could Arcee Phoenix be Just Believe’s successor? Photo by photographer: Stuart McCormick

Connections of star Finley-owned trotter Arcee Phoenix were delighted with a win in the $75,000 Maori Mile feature at the Bendigo Cup.

Is Finley bred trotter Arcee Phoenix ready to fill the racing plates of the great Just Believe who has just been retired from racing?

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Wear and tear from a steely, almost unbelievable will-to-win attitude has finally caught up with the Jess Tubbs’ trained superstar Just Believe, who can be mentioned in the same breath as Maori’s Idol, arguably Australia’s best ever trotter and Lyell Creek, New Zealand’s greatest without question.

Part-owned and bred by Finley butcher Ashley Haynes, the Chris Svanosio trained and driven Arcee Phoenix has been waiting in the wings to secure a higher profile than he enjoys at present and Just Believe’s retirement has presented that opportunity.

The unbeaten Keayang Zahara has been touted as the next big thing in the trotting ranks, but he is only a three year-old and as promising and talented as he is, still has some boxes to tick as he ages to be mentioned with the greatest.

Arcee Phoenix has already taken steps to assume a more elevated status in his last two runs.

Recently, he claimed the Group 3 Aldebaran Park Knight Pistol feature at the Ballarat Cup meeting.

It came two weeks after Arcee Phoenix had won the Group 1 Maori Mile at Bendigo in 1.55.7 when he accounted for other aspiring candidates for the Just Believe mantle such as Queen Elida and Keayang Chucky.

Arcee Phoenix is only a six year-old, so could have his best racing days still ahead of him.

He will get the chance to further his case to be recognised as Australia’s premier trotter in the upcoming $300 000 Great Southern Star feature at Melton, although the heat-final format at the one meeting of this feature probably won’t give a true indication as to who may be the next Just Believe.

For the record, Just Believe raced 83 times for 38 wins and 23 placings and his prize money earnings of $1,929,253 are only second to Lyell Creek for an Australasian trotter.

Arcee Phoenix has raced 45 times for 13 wins, nine seconds and four thirds for prize money earnings of $427,805.