Leviathan harness Victorian owner-breeder Danny Zavitsanos is about to leap from one exciting project to another.
The Geelong-based Zavitsanos recently spread his business empire to include “Flip Out” – a trampoline and adventure park – but will escape it briefly to pop up to Brisbane for his other passion, harness racing.
Zavitsanos will have at least nine runners, headed by the likes of Fox Dan, Arrhythmia, War Dan Buddy and Cardigan Dan, across a string of feature race targets at Albion Park next month.
“I need to keep growing my business to fund my hobby,” Zavitsanos laughed.
“Emma and Clayton are going to take a huge team up (to Brisbane) so I’ve been helping sort out the travel with them.
“There’s a truck going Wednesday and I’ll have Fox Dan, War Dan Buddy and Oliver Dan on that one.
“Then, the second truck goes on Saturday and my horses on that one will be Arrhythmia, Cardigan Dan, Dynamitedan and Brooklyn Dan.
“I’ve already got Eureka Jo racing up there with ‘Grimmo’ (Jason Grimson) and we’ve just bought Crippa Max over from NZ to join Grant Dixon.
“I race Crippa Max with Dom Martello. He barracks from Carlton and I’m a big Melbourne Man, hence ‘Crippa’ for Patrick Cripps and ‘Max’ for Max Gawn.”
Crippa Max created a huge impression winning his first start for Dixon at Albion Park last Friday night and looks destined for much better wins.
Zavitsanos’ spread goes even further in the Queensland Constellations (carnival) with a slot in Australia’s richest two-year-old race, the $500,000 Group 1 Protostar.
“We’re taking Cardigan Gem in our slot for the Protostar,” he confirmed.
“He’s one of three Emma and Clayton will have in the race and they’ll go up together on a plane, rather than by truck. That flight is booked for July 4.”
Exciting filly Comeandsee and Staunton are expected to be Stewart and Tonkin’s other two Protostar runners. They won the race last year with Loucasso.
Zavitsanos rates star filly Arrhythmia, who he races with Ray Sellwood of Miki To Success fame, is his best chance of Group 1 success in Brisbane in the $150,000 Queensland Oaks.
Arrhythmia has won 10 of her 12 starts and finished second in the other two. She hasn’t raced since a dominant NSW Oaks win on May 2.
“We’ve got good chances across a few races, but she would be the standout,” he said.
Fox Dan capped his preparation with an all-the-way in a small but strong free-for-all at Melton last Saturday night.
“I’m sure Fox Dan will be very competitive in the Rising Sun, but it’s such a strong race and the preferential draw will be against him. He’s so underrated and we’ll go on to have another crack at the TAB Eureka with him later in the year.
“War Dan Buddy is one to watch. Clayton (Tonkin) says he’s really jumped out of the ground and can surprise people in the Inter Dominion.
“Obviously he needs a soft run, but he’s got such a strong finish.
“Watch out for Dynamitedan, too. On ability, he’s right up with the best three-year-olds, but not much has gone right for him so far.”
Dynamitedan cruised to victory at Melton last Saturday night to make it four wins and second from just eight starts.
“We’ll have a strong hand in that (Queensland) Derby with him, Cardigan Dan and Brooklyn Dan,” Zavitsanos said.
