Eureka countdown: 16 days to go

Sixteen days out from the $1.5 million TAB Eureka, the field for the world’s richest pacing race is starting to take shape, and the next nine days could settle most of it.

The fourth running of the Eureka will be held at Club Menangle on Saturday, November 21, in its new November timeslot. It is run over 2300 metres for 10 Australian-bred three and four-year-old pacers, with a preferential barrier draw for three-year-olds, fillies and mares.

Where things stand

Four runners are confirmed. Loucasso, the $2.40 TAB favourite, runs for the slot holder (Rampant Standardbreds). Double Lou races for the slot holder (The Don), Soho Charmer for the slot holder (Soho Standardbreds) and Victoria Oaks winner Bettor Beach for the slot holder (Harnesslink).

Bettor Beach is the first three-year-old filly to gain a Eureka slot.

Six slots remain open, held by Team Zav, Solid Earth, Cordina Racing, Western Jewel, Go Racing and Levarg Racing Group. Slot holders can name their runners up to seven days before the race, which makes Saturday, November 14 the deadline.

HarnessLink has reported that Team Zav’s slot will go to a Stewart and Tonkin-trained runner, and that the Levarg group is also looking closely at a horse from the same stable. Neither has been announced.

The week that matters

Friday, November 6: Eureka hopefuls Forty Love and Hesitate meet in the $100,000 The Bidgee over 2800 metres at Riverina Paceway.

Saturday, November 7: Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin bring six contenders to Menangle: The Last Trip, Cigano, The Art Of Success, Let Her Roll, I Am The Storm and Most Exciting. Loucasso also races on the card, over the Eureka distance of 2300 metres.

Saturday, November 14: the deadline for slot holders to name their runners.

The history

Stewart and Tonkin won the inaugural Eureka in 2023 with the mare Encipher. Don Hugo won in 2024, and Bay Of Biscay gave the stable a second win last year, running in the Soho Standardbreds slot.

No three-year-old has won the race, but the age group has come close. Bay Of Biscay was second as a three-year-old in 2024, and last year three-year-olds Fox Dan, Hesitate and Go Miki filled second, third and fourth behind him. A record six three-year-olds ran last year.

“Fox Dan ran such a great race last year,” Danny Zavitsanos said.

Fox Dan remains among Team Zav’s options this year, along with Brooklyn Dan.

The numbers

$1.5 million in prize money. 2300 metres. 10 slots, four filled. Two wins from three runnings for Stewart and Tonkin. Zero three-year-old winners, so far.

HarnessLink will count down to the race with updates as each slot is filled, and full coverage from Club Menangle on November 21.

 

Disclosure: Harnesslink is a 2026 TAB Eureka slot holder, and Bettor Beach will run in the Harnesslink slot. Harnesslink owner Mick Harvey also holds the Go Racing slot.

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From Harnesslink Media