CLASSY four-year-old Fox Dan will try to replicate his stablemate Bay Of Biscay when he tackles the world’s richest pacing race, the $1.5 millIon TAB Eureka, for a second time.
Owner-breeders Danny and Jo Zavitsanos ended weeks of speculation today by confirming Fox Dan would again race in their slot at Menangle on November 21.
Fox Dan was a three-year-old when he ran a slashing second to Bay Of Biscay last year.
Significantly, Bay Of Biscay also ran second (to Don Hugo) in the TAB Eureka as a three-year-old in 2024 before returning the last year to go one better.
“He (Fox Dan) was always our logical choice after last year, but we always want the horse with the best possible chance in our slot, so he had to prove he was back in the right sort of form,” Danny Zavitsanos said.
A few niggles have restricted Fox Dan to just 11 starts this season, but he has shown signs of his best form again with two wins and a third at his past three starts.
“We had to make a decision, so we focused on those past two runs (Swan Hill and Melton last Saturday night) as the deciders,” Zavitsanos said. “Both runs were terrific, so we’re going with him.”
Zavitsanos admitted it is hard for sentiment not to play a role with Fox Dan.
“He’s such a special horse to us on so many levels,” he said. “His 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'.
“To see him go on and become the star he is, that’s really special.
“It would be a dream come true if he could go one better this year and win the Eureka.”
Fox Dan’s confirmation gives the powerhouse Emma Stewart abd Clayton Tonkin stable a second runner in a race they have dominated across its three-year history.
They won the inaugural TAB Eureka in 2023 with Encipher, had second and third (Bay Of Biscay and High Above) in 2024 and landed the quinella with Bay Of Biscay and Fox Dan last year.
Their other confirmed runner this year is Victoria Oaks winner Bettor Beach, who is the first three-year-old filly to land a slot in the Eureka’s history. She capped her preparation with a sparkling Melton win last Saturday night.
With four slots still available, Stewart and Tonkin have the firepower to potentially match their record four runners in last year’s TAB Eureka.
Cigano and The Last Trip continued their hot form with impressive wins at Menangle last Saturday night.
Both are believed to be strongly in consideration with two or three of the remaining slot owners.
The other confirmed runners are: Loucasso (Rampant Standardbreds), Double Lou (Tony Licastro), Soho Charmer (Soho Standardbreds), Bettor Beach (Harnesslink) and Fate Awaits (Western Jewel).
The remaining slot owners are: Cordina Racing, Kevin and Kay Seymour, Go Racing (Mick Harvey) and the Levarg Group (Team Lee).
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? EUREKA GLORY!
FOX DAN IS BACK FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT THE TAB EUREKA!
After a sensational second to stablemate Bay Of Biscay in last year’s race, Fox Dan is back to go one better in the world’s richest pacing race!
Slot holders Danny and Jo Zavitsanos have confirmed their star four-year-old will once again represent Team ZAV at Menangle on November 21.
With two wins and a third from his past three starts, Fox Dan is finding form at just the right time!
Bay Of Biscay went from runner-up to Eureka champion. Can Fox Dan follow in his footsteps?
What does the Fox say? BRING ON THE EUREKA!
Saturday 21 November | Club Menangle
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