Leviathan owner Danny Zavitsanos is ready for what could be his biggest day of racing on Saturday.
And that’s saying something for the man who won the iconic NZ Cup with Cruz Bromac and numerous other major races.
Zavitsanos’ Saturday begins with his quest for an unprecedented Derby double. After winning the Victoria Derby in the hard sport a few weeks ago with Fox Dan, he can add the Victoria Derby of thoroughbred racing at Flemington with Highvol.
The young Nick Ryan-trained stayer raised Zavitsanos’ hopes with a second-place finish in last Thursday’s Geelong Classic, historically a good Derby guide.
Zavitsanos immediately gets in the car and heads to Melton to watch four of his top pacers – Mach Dan, Oliver Dan, Petracca and Viney – race on Saturday night.
“We think we have a chance in the Derby,” said Zavitsanos. “Highvol was turned upside down at Geelong. After being trapped wide, he worked forward to take the lead. He is better with a sit and tries to run up other horses.”
“(Mark) Zahra said the horse didn’t see the winner and said we absolutely had to go through to the Derby.”
With Zahra committed to favorite Observer, Jamie Mott will take the ride on Highvol.
“I was actually involved with thoroughbreds before harness, but I switched over and only in the last few years have I started racing some gallopers again,” Zavitsanos said.
“It’s incredible to think I have a chance of winning the Derby double in the space of just a few weeks.
“Win, lose or draw, I’m going straight from Flemington to Melton. It’s an important night there too.”
The night starts early for Zavitsanos and his wife Jo, with two of their favorites Oliver Dan (gate three) and Mach Dan (eight) in race one.
“Mach Dan will be fitter for his good first run, but Oliver Dan has a better draw and he came too far back at Menangle’s last start. He will be hard to beat from the draw,” said Zavitsanos.
“We are looking at the first leg of the NSW Carnival of Cups in Wagga (November 14) with Oliver Dan or one of our other horses, War Dan Buddy.”
At Melton, Zavitsanos is most excited about his young star Petracca’s quest to make it two wins from as many starts on the comeback trail in race two.
Petracca has raced just four times since winning the 2023 Victoria Derby and boasts 12 wins from just 18 starts.
He won breathtakingly on his first start for 14 months at Melton on October 11.
“The long-term plan is the Miracle Mile with him. He’s such a fast horse,” Zavitsanos said.
“We’re just going to race him through the classes for now and it’s another test for him this week from the back row (gate nine) against great horses like Fate Awaits, Look Like Diamonds and others.”
It’s then a long wait for the last of eight races at Melton, as the talented but enigmatic Viney chases his sixth win after just fourteen starts.
“You’re starting to see the best of him now. He’s had some problems, but Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) have changed a few things and he’s not far off a horse like Fox Dan in terms of sheer talent.”
If you think Zavitsanos’ horses have a real Melbourne AFL flavour, you’re right. He is a big Melbourne fan and has named many of them after the Demons’ drought-breaking premiership in 2021.
By means of Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Victoria
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