By MIKE DILLON
In an ironic twist, smart juvenile Danavon earned himself another start before a winter spell when he did everything wrong finishing third in last week's Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie.
Danavon will carry topweight in the $20,000 Graeme Thomson Antique Jewellers Juvenile tomorrow because he zig-jagged down the home straight last week.
Owner and trainer Danny Oatham is keen for Danavon to learn as much about racing manners before he spells.
"I want him to learn to be a 3-year-old for when I bring him back in the spring," said Oatham last night. "If you're a ready-made horse as an early 3-year-old you're half a chance. If you're not, you struggle."
While it was a huge effort by Rainman to win the Champagne Stakes, Danavon may have proved difficult to head off had he kept a straight path in the final 400m.
"Although we'll never know, I believe he was running away from the whip," said Oatham.
"I'm not blaming Tony Allan for that. Everyone knew it was a big race and we were all there to win.
"Tony straightened him after he first ducked out then went for the whip again, which was natural, and he ran around again."
For tomorrow Oatham has engaged Lance O'Sullivan, who rode Danavon to win at Avondale at his previous start.
"Tony was not too pleased to be replaced, which is understandable, but what Lance was able to do at Avondale was switch his whip to the left hand very quickly and that helped keep Danavon straight.
"I understand how Tony feels, but I'm trying to do the best thing by the horse."
Danavon will come out of barrier No1, which may not necessarily be the best draw on a very testing and heavy track, but in terms of experience he has it heavily on most of his opposition.
Racing: Start to learn manners
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