Team Zav hoping stable star can win qualifier

Team Zav is hoping its harness racing stable star Mach Dan (Mach Three) can launch a memorable weekend in Friday night’s Group 2 Newcastle Mile.

Victoria’s only slot holder this week inked a deal with owner Hass Taiba to secure Australia’s most exciting pacer Captain Ravishing as its representative in the $2.1m The Eureka in September.

Team Zav, comprising prominent owner Danny Zavitsanos and his wife Jo, will make the trek from Newcastle to Menangle on Saturday to watch Captain Ravishing ($1.25 fav) take on the country’s best four-year-olds in the Chariots Of Fire.

Despite drawing the outside barrier (eight), Zavitsanos believes Mach Dan is racing in career best form.

“He went super in the Hunter Cup and a couple of commentators seemed to think his was the run of the race,” Zavitsanos said.

“The horse is flying and (co-trainer) Clayton (Tonkin) said he has come on since the Hunter Cup.”

Zavitsanos hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Mach Dan finding the lead.

“Often horses drawn out wide have a bit of an advantage and we know Mach Dan has got gate speed. He nearly crossed from a wide barrier in the Hunter Cup,” he said.

“It’s too hard to win going back over the mile, so you may as well chance your arm at the start and see if you can cross.”

Mach Dan will wear the Team Zav racing colors on Friday night, as will Captain Ravishing in the Chariots Of Fire.

Team Zav also has a runner in the race, with the Jason Grimson-trained Lightning Dan coming out of gate five.

“It would be nice to think that our horse could beat the Captain, but I don’t think so. We would be happy if he can finish in the first five,” Zavitsanos said.

The harness racing gods have looked down favorably on New Zealand trainer Stephen Telfer, whose stable representatives B D Joe and Alta Wiseguy have drawn barriers one and two respectively in the Newcastle Mile.

Both pacers have the recent form credentials to feature prominently in the Miracle Mile qualifier, with only the winner getting direct entry through to the $1million feature on March 4.

Three starts ago B D Joe defeated star Kiwi pacer Self Assured at Addington, while Alta Wiseguy downed Ballarat Cup winner Copy That at Alexandra Park two outings ago.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria