One of Australia’s biggest and most passionate owners Danny Zavitsanos is desperate to win the $1.5 million TAB Eureka.
That’s why the Geelong-based Zavitsanos and his wife, Jo, are in no rush to settle on which runner they will take in their slot for the world’s richest pacing race at Menangle on November 21.
Huge supporters of the TAB Eureka concept since its 2023 inception, “Team Zav” came close when their young star Fox Dan finished second to stablemate Bay Of Biscay last year.
Given he was just three then, Fox Dan is being set for redemption this year in the feature, which is restricted to three and four-year-old Australian-bred pacers.
Fox Dan propelled himself right back into contention when he turned around some indifferent form to make the most of a lovely run and win last Saturday night’s Group 2 Vicbred 4YO final at Melton.
But Team Zav is blessed with options from the enviable crop of young horses it races.
Even with Australia’s top-rated three-year-old filly and NSW Oaks winner Arrhythmia sidelined, Team Zav’s other genuine TAB Eureka contenders include Brooklyn Dan, Dynamitedan, Cardigan Dan and Willows Girl.
Three of the four step-out at Melton on Saturday night.
Brooklyn Dan is $1.75 favourite in the Victorian Sires’ Classic where Dynamitedan is a $14 chance.
Three-year-old filly Willows Girl, who has won six of 14 starts, is a $1.40 favourite in the Gold Chalice.
“You know how much Jo and I love this race (Eureka),” Danny Zavitsanos said. “We’re desperate to win it.
“Fox Dan ran such a great race last year and he’s getting back to his best form again at the right time.
“He’s leading our options at the moment, but Brooklyn Dan is the one who could really challenge.
“Clayton (Tonkin) and Emma (Stewart) have a really big opinion of him. He just wasn’t right in Brisbane, but they tell me he’s come back really well.
“Even though a three-year-old hasn’t won it (Eureka) yet, they ran second, third and fourth last year and they get that all-important preferential barrier draw.
“The good thing about having your own slot and horses to fill it is that you’re not in a rush.”
Zavitsanos also owns “about a dozen” thoroughbreds and had a winner at Geelong yesterday when Avery Anna, a daughter of The Autumn Sun, won on debut for trainers Leon and Troy Corstens and Wayne Larkin.
The TAB Eureka flavour runs deeper at Melton with leviathan WA owner Rob Watson still weighing-up options for his slot runner in the race.
Watson, who teamed with the winner Bay Of Biscay last year, has declared a preference to use his slot on one of his pacers this year.
Soho Trump, who has won three of four starts this campaign, gets his chance to impress as the main danger and $2.15 second favourite behind Brooklyn Dan in the Sires’ Classic.
The other big watch runner at Melton is Inter Dominion trotting heat winner Lovemeto, who returns from a spell in the last race (race 10) for trainer-driver Chris Svanosio.
The former Kiwi is aiming at the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint on October 17 before a trip to Christchurch for the $NZ500,000 Group 1 Dominion Trot on November 10.
PHOTOS:
– Brooklyn Dan & Fox Dan – Stuart McCormick
– Willows Girl – Club Menangle/Pacepix
