Multiple Group 1 winning pacer Mach Dan (Mach Three) may have raced his way into the $150,000 Len Smith Mile after completing back to back harness racing wins at Melton.

With the hottest driver in the land James Herbertson taking the reins, the son of Mach Three sped to the early lead and was never headed thereafter.

With Herbertson laying back in the sulky, Mach Dan ($1.65) reeled off a 54 second last 800 metres in accounting for his stablemate Perfect Class and Tango Tara in a mile rate of 1:54 for the 2240 metres.

The win followed Mach Dan’s sit sprint victory the previous week and owner Danny Zavitsanos is hoping the seven-year-old has done enough to represent Team Zav in the Len Smith Mile on TAB Eureka night at Menangle.

“It’s going to be a big night with the Eureka so it would be nice to have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with this bloke,” Zavitsanos said.

Zavitsanos admitted he was aiming to complete a hat trick of home town Geelong Cups until now.

“The way Mach Dan is racing he is going as well as ever and why not have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with him,” he said.

“If he draws well he is a genuine chance because he can do it at both ends of the race.”

Herbertson, who has a perfect record of three wins from as many drives behind Mach Dan, said the pacer’s gate speed is a huge asset.

“When you get down to these free for alls being in front on the fence is a big advantage and you’re half way home especially when you have a horse with such great manners as he does,” Herbertson said.

“Being able to blast off the gate like that and he comes back to you, so you can drive him on a pinky and he’s an absolute pleasure to drive.”

Mach Dan's Pursuit of Harness Racing's Elite

As multiple Group 1-winner Mach Dan nears the $1million mark in prizemoney, owner Danny Zavitsanos would love nothing more than for the pacer to achieve the feat on TAB Eureka night at Menangle.

Mach Dan edged closer to becoming harness racing’s next millionaire after completing back-to-back wins at Melton on Saturday night.

With the hottest driver in the land James Herbertson taking the reins, the son of Mach Three sped to the early lead and was never headed thereafter.

Mach Dan ($1.65) reeled off a 54-second last 800 metres in accounting for his stablemate Perfect Class and Tango Tara in a mile rate of 1:54 for the 2240 metres.

The win followed Mach Dan’s sit-sprint victory the previous week and Zavitsanos is hoping the seven-year-old has done enough to represent Team Zav in the Group 1 $150,000 Len Smith Mile on September 7.

“It’s going to be a big night with the Eureka so it would be nice to have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with this bloke,” Zavitsanos said.

Mach Dan has now amassed more than $977,000 in prizemoney and a share of the spoils in the Len Smith Mile would see him surpass $1m.

“A placing in the Len Smith Mile would be enough to get him over the line,” he said.

Zavitsanos's Big Dreams

Zavitsanos admitted he was aiming to complete a hat-trick of home-town Geelong Cups until now.

“The way Mach Dan is racing, he is going as well as ever and why not have a crack at the Len Smith Mile with him?” he said.

“If he draws well, he is a genuine chance because he can do it at both ends of the race.”

Herbertson, who has a perfect record of three wins from as many drives behind Mach Dan, said the pacer’s gate speed is a huge asset.

“When you get down to these free-for-alls, being in front on the fence is a big advantage and you’re half-way home, especially when you have a horse with such great manners as he does,” Herbertson said.

“Being able to blast off the gate like that and he comes back to you, so you can drive him on a pinky and he’s an absolute pleasure to drive.”

A Race for the Record Books

The Len Smith Mile is a prestigious race on the Australian harness racing calendar, and a win would be a major feather in Mach Dan's cap. The race will be held on TAB Eureka night, which is a major event for the sport, and will be broadcast live on Sky Racing.

Mach Dan's recent form suggests that he is a serious contender for the Len Smith Mile. He has been in excellent form, and his recent wins at Melton are a testament to his ability. Zavitsanos's confidence in his horse is evident, and he is hoping that Mach Dan can live up to his expectations.

The race is sure to be a thrilling spectacle, with Mach Dan set to face a strong field of competitors. However, if he can reproduce his recent form, he will be a major force to be reckoned with.

The Len Smith Mile is a race that is sure to attract a lot of attention, and Mach Dan's participation will add an extra layer of excitement to the event. Fans of harness racing will be eager to see if Mach Dan can reach the $1 million milestone on such a big stage.

If he wins the Len Smith Mile, Mach Dan will be a household name in Australian harness racing. His performance in the race will be closely watched by fans and industry professionals alike. It will be a race that will be remembered for years to come.