Fox Dan winning a Victoria Derby Heat
PASSIONATE Geelong owner Danny Zavitsanos is chasing a unique, cross-code Victoria Derby double.
Zavitsanos, one of harness racing’s biggest and most influential owners, is buzzing about his chances in Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Pacing Derby final with Fox Dan.
His more recent venture in thoroughbred ownership includes Nick Ryan’s emerging three-year-old Highvol, who is heading towards the $2mil Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 1.
“He got a mile back and couldn’t get into the race in the (Caulfield) Guineas on Saturday,” Zavitsanos said. “Nick (Ryan) wasn’t disappointed and said to watch him improve in the Vase next start (Moonee Valley October 25).
“We’ve always thought he’s a Derby horse and he’ll get out to more suitable distances now.”
Highvol is a $15 chance in the latest Derby markets.
Fox Dan is a lot more strongly favoured as $4 equal favourite for the Victoria Pacing Derby after narrowly but impressively winning one of last Saturday night’s qualifying heats.
It was his first start since a fantastic second in the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka, at Menangle on September 6.
“He seems to keep flying under the radar a bit, but he’s a really serious horse who just keeps getting better with every run,” Zavitsanos said.
“He did the work the other night, ran past a good horse in front (My Ultimate Barney) and held-off another good one (Hesitate), who sat on our back and had every chance.
“I think he’ll be as hard to beat as any with a good draw in the (Derby) final.”
Fox Dan ranks with the most “special” horses Zavitsanos and his wife, Jo, have raced and that includes former NZ Cup winner Cruz Bromac.
“There’s lots of layers to him for us. We bred Fox Dan and his Mum, Jodila, was the first harness horse we ever raced,” Zavitsanos said. “I paid $22,000 for her at the yearling sales and called her Jodila from a combination of my wife’s name (Joanna) and my youngest daughter, who we call ‘Dila’.
“To see him run so well in the TAB Eureka was amazing and it would mean the world if he could win a Derby.”
Fox Dan has raced just 14 times for nine wins, three seconds, a third and a fourth.
Zavitsanos is no stranger to the Victoria Pacing Derby, having won it with Petracca two years ago.
Fittingly, Petracca returned from 14 months on the sidelines with a brilliant win on Derby heat night last Saturday.
“He had a setback after his last run at Menangle (August 10, 2024) and Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) have done the most amazing job getting him back,” Zavitsanos said.
“We’ve been so patient, we’re happy to spread his races for the rest of this year and build him towards some bigger races, like a Miracle Mile, early next year.”
The next few months will be hectic for the Zavitsanos' with another two of their star pacers, Oliver Dan and War Dan Buddy, options to chase a $1 million bonus on the five-race NSW Carnival of Cups circuit.
The first leg is at Wagga on November 14.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
