Danny’s Demons to strike a success

High profile harness racing owner Danny Zavitsanos is a die-hard Melbourne fan in the AFL.

So when the Demons last year won their first premiership since 1964, it was not hard to guess what the theme would be when naming his next batch of young standardbreds

He went straight to the top of Melbourne player list – applying for Petracca, Gawn and Oliver for three of his now two-year-olds.

Petracca and Gawn were approved. And although he missed out on getting Oliver, he did get the next best option of Oliver Dan.

While right now he is worried about the form of Melbourne after three consecutive losses, he has no such concerns about the juveniles named after the Demons’ three biggest stars.

Zavitsanos has the highest of opinions of the Emma Stewart-trained Petracca, describing him as a readymade juvenile and going as far as saying the son of Captaintreacherous is the best two-year-old he has had.

Petracca makes his return to racing in the $20,000 Hygain 2YO Pace (1720m) at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night. For complete race fields, click here.

The colt will be having his fourth race start. He debuted with a win in a Bathurst Gold Crown heat in March before finishing third to Tardelli in the Group 1 final.

He rounded out his initial campaign with a 40m victory in the Shakamaker Classic (1720m) in 1:54.1min at Melton on April 2.

Zavitsanos said Petracca had been given four weeks off after that performance.

“He’s come back really strong. By all reports he’s buzzing,” he said.

Zavitsanos said the stable was extremely happy with his progress.

“They have a big rap on him.”

He says the plan is to give Petracca the one run and then 10 to 12 days off before preparing for the inaugural Nutrien Equine series in August.

Zavitsanos also has Oliver Dan (Bettors Delight) engaged in the same race on Saturday night.

Trained by Nathan Purdon, the colt is having his second outing after a first-up second to Captain Foxtrot at Ballarat, when he lost valuable ground after galloping at the start.

Zavitsanos said with a bigger frame, Oliver Dan would improve with time and more racing.

“He’s got ability,” he said.

He is confident Oliver Dan will be in the thick of the action by the time the Breeders Crown and Vicbred Super Series come around later in the year, and improve again by the Victoria Derby next season.

Gawn, a colt by Captaintreacherous, is being trained by Emma Stewart and is yet to race.