Latest news with #DannyZavitsanos
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘It's made the decision harder': 2025 Eureka harness race puzzle no closer to completion
The puzzle that is the world's richest harness race became even more complex last night. The $2.1 million TAB Eureka picture was supposed to be so much clearer after four key races across three states last night, but they only served to underline the depth and intrigue of the September 6 race at Menangle. Leading owner Danny Zavitsanos is no closer to finalising his slot runner after his two contenders – War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan – both won brilliantly at Melton. At Menangle, champion thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes' brilliant three-year-old pacer Seathestars bolstered his claims for a slot with another brilliant win.' And, underrated Queensland four-year-old Attachment thrashed his rivals in the Group 2 Qbred final at Albion Park. Six slots remain in the 10-horse race with next Saturday's $50,000 Discovery at Menangle looming as crunch time for many key contenders. 'I thought I'd be able to make my decision after Melton (last night), but they (War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan) both went super so it has only made the decision harder,' Zavitsanos said. 'War Dan Buddy went terrific time and really burned down the back straight, so I'd thought he was right in the box seat (for a slot) after he won the first race (at Melton). Ryan Sanderson-driven War Dan Buddy proves too good in the opener at Melton, taking out the Hertz Melton Pace for trainer Emma Stewart. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 16, 2025 'But then Fox Dan came out, did all the work and left his rivals standing. 'If I had to choose right now, I think I'd lean slightly to Fox Dan, but I don't have to. I think I'll wait another week and we might even back-up War Dan Buddy in the Discovery next week to get another look at him. 'War Dan Buddy has the experience, but Fox Dan just gets better with every start and, being a three-year-old, he could potentially draw much better because of the preferential draw the three-year-olds get.' Fox Dan brings up a treble for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Ryan Sanderson in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace at Melton tonight. The win also secures a double for owners Team Zav and marks a first treble for Sanderson at Melton. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 16, 2025 Fox Dan and Seasthestars add to the growing list of serious three-year-old contenders for the TAB Eureka. In the two runnings of the race so far, there have only been three three-year-olds compete, with Bay Of Biscay best of them when runner-up last year. There will be four, maybe even five three-year-olds in this year's race. Seathestars returned after a freshen-up following a booming fourth in the Queensland Derby on July 19 to brilliantly beat older rivals at Menangle last night. Hawkes and trainer Geoff Webster are desperately chasing a TAB Eureka slot. 'We've had some talks and that's why we took him up (from Melbourne) to race at Menangle, to put him in front of the people who might take him in their slot,' Webster said. 'He can't do anymore. He's really gone to another level this campaign and, looking at some of the three-year-olds who are likely to get runs, I think he's up with any of them.' Outstanding Win tonight for Seathestars @ClubMenangle He just keeps getting better and better with racing… Next stop @eurekarace All credit goes to Geoff Webster and @RixonnWill #eureka #whatathrill #patience @HRNSW_Harness — Hawkes Racing (@HawkesRacing) August 16, 2025 Leading Queensland trainers Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin are weighing-up whether to take Attachment to Menangle for the Discovery after his win last night. They had Wisper A Secret get into last year's TAB Eureka as an emergency and he ran a terrific fourth to Don Hugo. Bay of Biscay, Fighter Command, Hesitate and Call To Order are the four confirmed runners with slots in this year's race. Fate Awaits, Path To Greatness and Royal Cruiser are others believed to be almost certain of snaring slots.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
2025 TAB Eureka: Six slots still up for grabs for $2.1m race
The puzzle that is the world's richest harness race became even more complex last night. The $2.1 million TAB Eureka picture was supposed to be so much clearer after four key races across three states last night, but they only served to underline the depth and intrigue of the September 6 race at Menangle. Leading owner Danny Zavitsanos is no closer to finalising his slot runner after his two contenders – War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan – both won brilliantly at Melton. At Menangle, champion thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes' brilliant three-year-old pacer Seathestars bolstered his claims for a slot with another brilliant win.' And, underrated Queensland four-year-old Attachment thrashed his rivals in the Group 2 Qbred final at Albion Park. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Six slots remain in the 10-horse race with next Saturday's $50,000 Discovery at Menangle looming as crunch time for many key contenders. 'I thought I'd be able to make my decision after Melton (last night), but they (War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan) both went super so it has only made the decision harder,' Zavitsanos said. 'War Dan Buddy went terrific time and really burned down the back straight, so I'd thought he was right in the box seat (for a slot) after he won the first race (at Melton). 'But then Fox Dan came out, did all the work and left his rivals standing. 'If I had to choose right now, I think I'd lean slightly to Fox Dan, but I don't have to. I think I'll wait another week and we might even back-up War Dan Buddy in the Discovery next week to get another look at him. 'War Dan Buddy has the experience, but Fox Dan just gets better with every start and, being a three-year-old, he could potentially draw much better because of the preferential draw the three-year-olds get.' Fox Dan and Seasthestars add to the growing list of serious three-year-old contenders for the TAB Eureka. In the two runnings of the race so far, there have only been three three-year-olds compete, with Bay Of Biscay best of them when runner-up last year. There will be four, maybe even five three-year-olds in this year's race. Seathestars returned after a freshen-up following a booming fourth in the Queensland Derby on July 19 to brilliantly beat older rivals at Menangle last night. Hawkes and trainer Geoff Webster are desperately chasing a TAB Eureka slot. 'We've had some talks and that's why we took him up (from Melbourne) to race at Menangle, to put him in front of the people who might take him in their slot,' Webster said. 'He can't do anymore. He's really gone to another level this campaign and, looking at some of the three-year-olds who are likely to get runs, I think he's up with any of them.' Leading Queensland trainers Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin are weighing-up whether to take Attachment to Menangle for the Discovery after his win last night. They had Wisper A Secret get into last year's TAB Eureka as an emergency and he ran a terrific fourth to Don Hugo. Bay of Biscay, Fighter Command, Hesitate and Call To Order are the four confirmed runners with slots in this year's race. Fate Awaits, Path To Greatness and Royal Cruiser are others believed to be almost certain of snaring slots. • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Which Dan is the man for $2.1m TAB Eureka? Owner Danny Zavitsanos weighs up Fox Dan, War Dan Buddy
Leviathan owner Danny Zavitsanos is fighting his emotions as D-Day looms for his slot runner in the world's richest harness race. Zavitsanos and wife, Jo, have narrowed the decision to two of their own pacers, War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan, to fill their slot in the $2.1 million TAB Eureka. That in itself is momentous because it has taken until the third running of the TAB Eureka for them to use their slot on a horse they own. But this year's decision runs emotionally deep. Fox Dan, a three-year-old with six wins and three placings from just 10 starts, was bred by 'Team Zav'. 'There's even more to it,' Danny said. 'Fox Dan's mum, Jodila, is the first harness horse I ever raced. I paid $22,000 for her at the yearling sales and called her Jodila after my wife (Joanna) and we called our youngest daughter 'Dila'. 'He's such a special horse to us all. If Jo had her way, we'd have used our slot on our horses every year so far and this year would go to Fox Dan. 'But I've put emotion aside the past two years and will do so again this time. All I can say for sure at this stage is that we will use our slot on one of our own horses. 'This weekend will go a long way to deciding which horse we will go with.' War Dan Buddy, a four-year-old with nine wins and almost $400,000 in earnings, and Fox Dan step-out for what could be their final lead-up races at Melton on Saturday night. ðŸ�† From last to first! War Dan Buddy made a surging run to secure his NSW Breeders Challenge Semi-Final @ClubMenangle tonight in a personal best mile rate of 1:51 with Cam Hart at the reins. @TonkinStewart @DannyZavitsanos ðŸ'™ðŸ'› — Harness Racing NSW (@HRNSW_Harness) October 19, 2024 War Dan Buddy won impressively at Menangle last start and will be first out at Melton from an awkward inside back row draw (gate eight) over 1720m in the opening race. Fox Dan will also have to overcome a back row draw, but over a longer 2240m trip in race three. 'As it stands right now, Emma and Clayton seem to lean to War Dan Buddy as the one we should take, but this weekend will tell us a lot more about where they're both at,' Zavitsanos said. 'I think Fox Dan is a really exciting horse and on the rise, but we've got to weigh up how many three-year-olds will be in the TAB Eureka this year. 'It looks like there will be at least four, maybe even five, which reduces the potential to draw a really good barrier. And the preferential draw is one of the biggest advantages to the three-year-olds taking on the four-year-olds. 'There's still three weeks until the race after this weekend, but I think we could be ready to make our decision next week. Ask me again on Monday. 'I've been a huge supporter of this race since day one and it would mean the world to win it, so I want to give myself every chance by making the right decision on which horse we run.' 🦊 The Fox lands a Group 1 Fox Dan proved too strong for his rivals winning the Group 1 Gold Crown Final @BathurstClub tonight with @jackcal01 driving. The Art Major colt, bred & part-owned by Danny Zavitsanos rated 1:54.7 & is undefeated in two starts. — Harness Racing NSW (@HRNSW_Harness) March 30, 2024 While just one of the four confirmed TAB Eureka runners so far is a three-year-old (Hesitate in the John Singleton slot), there are at least five more three-year-olds in serious contention. They are Fox Dan, Fate Awaits, Path To Greatness, Seathestars and Go Miki. Only three of the 20 runners across the two TAB Eurekas so far have been three and Bay Of Biscay is the only one to have performed well, finishing a luckless second to Don Hugo last year. 'I agree with most people that the three-year-olds look a really strong group this year and, if they're ever going to win it, it could be this time,' Zavitsanos said.
