Dan heads to Melton before probable Queensland campaign

A Queensland harness racing campaign is on the radar for consistent Grand Circuit performer Mach Dan, but first he will step out for a Melton assignment this Saturday.

The Emma Stewart-trained pacer was spelled following his last placing in March’s Miracle Mile and is now eyeing a first-up start in the night’s free-for-all contest, the 2Construct Pace.

Mach Dan, who won the Geelong Pacing Cup, two Inter Dominion heats and the Newcastle Mile in a brilliant recent preparation, has drawn gate six in the small field of seven.

He will have Mattie Craven’s speedster Bettor Isolate to his outside in seven, and Julie Douglas-trained pair Interest Free (four) and Courageous Saint (five) on his immediate inside. Stablemates Amore Vita (one) and Like A Wildfire (three) have nice draws, while Diane Giles’ last-start winner Sew What is in gate two.

Owner Danny Zavitsanos said a Queensland trip is on the cards for Mach Dan as he looks to add another state to the horse’s racing resume.

The son of Mach Three has competed in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and even New Zealand throughout a glittering career that has captured 22 wins from 59 starts and more than $800,000 in prizemoney.

Saturday night’s nine-race card includes two 1200m events – the Catanach Jewellers Pace and Allied Express Pace – with the meeting to kick-off from 9.45pm.

You can catch all the action including interviews and in-depth analysis at TrotsVision.com.au.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria