Zavitsanos chasing million-dollar dream with Mach Dan
As multiple Group 1-winner Mach Dan nears the $1million mark in prizemoney, owner Danny Zavitsanos would love nothing more than for the pacer to achieve the feat on TAB Eureka night at Menangle.
Mach Dan edged closer to becoming harness racing’s next millionaire after completing back-to-back wins at Melton on Saturday night.
With the hottest driver in the land James Herbertson taking the reins, the son of Mach Three sped to the early lead and was never headed thereafter.
Mach Dan ($1.65) reeled off a 54-second last 800 metres in accounting for his stablemate Perfect Class and Tango Tara in a mile rate of 1:54 for the 2240 metres.
The win followed Mach Dan’s sit-sprint victory the previous week and Zavitsanos is hoping the seven-year-old has done enough to represent Team Zav in the Group 1 $150,000 Len Smith Mile on September 7.
“It’s going to be a big night with the Eureka so it would be nice to have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with this bloke,” Zavitsanos said.
Mach Dan has now amassed more than $977,000 in prizemoney and a share of the spoils in the Len Smith Mile would see him surpass $1m.
“A placing in the Len Smith Mile would be enough to get him over the line,” he said.
Zavitsanos admitted he was aiming to complete a hat-trick of home-town Geelong Cups until now.
“The way Mach Dan is racing, he is going as well as ever and why not have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with him?” he said.
“If he draws well, he is a genuine chance because he can do it at both ends of the race.”
Herbertson, who has a perfect record of three wins from as many drives behind Mach Dan, said the pacer’s gate speed is a huge asset.
“When you get down to these free-for-alls, being in front on the fence is a big advantage and you’re half-way home, especially when you have a horse with such great manners as he does,” Herbertson said.
“Being able to blast off the gate like that and he comes back to you, so you can drive him on a pinky and he’s an absolute pleasure to drive.”
John Dunne