Eureka slot holders weigh up their options

Two runners are confirmed, eight selections remain open and several key performances could shape the field for the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Club Menangle on November 21.

The next fortnight shapes as a defining period for the TAB Eureka, with slot holders assessing established performers, emerging three-year-olds and interstate contenders before settling on their representatives.

Loucasso has been secured by Rampant Standardbreds, while Double Lou will represent Tony Licastro’s The Don.

With those two runners confirmed, attention turns to the remaining eight slots and the negotiations that will determine the final field.

Bookmakers have already framed the contest. TAB’s pre-nomination fixed-odds market installs Loucasso a clear $2.60 favourite, with The Last Trip ($4.50), The Art Of Success ($5.50) and Cigano ($6) next in line.

The move to November has broadened the selection process. September’s Vicbred series, last weekend’s Victoria Derby and Oaks, the NSW Breeders Challenge and features in South Australia and Western Australia all provide important guides to the Australian-bred three and four-year-olds being considered.

Harnesslink’s assessment points to several probable partnerships, while a group of contenders remains in contention for more than one slot.

 

Hesitate’s move adds another dimension

Hesitate’s transfer to Jason Grimson has added interest to the developing field. Third in last year’s Eureka, he brings experience in the race and now has an opportunity to make his case from a new stable.

Harnesslink rates Hesitate as Go Racing’s probable selection, with The Last Trip and Bettor Beach identified as alternatives.

The betting reflects the uncertainty around his new campaign. TAB has Hesitate at $9, but he is as short as $3.80 elsewhere, where he sits second favourite.

That makes Hesitate’s progress an important part of the selection picture. A return to his best would give Go Racing a contender with proven Eureka credentials, while the alternatives offer compelling recent form.

 

Victorian form strengthens several claims

Bettor Beach’s Victoria Oaks victory has placed her firmly among the leading candidates for a slot.

The Emma Stewart-trained filly led throughout over 2760 metres, defeating Willows Girl and recording her seventh win from 10 starts. Her combination of speed, staying ability and improvement gives connections a strong platform from which to negotiate.

Harnesslink’s forecast places Bettor Beach as the probable representative for its own slot, with The Last Trip, Ark Sea and Alert Bay as alternatives.

The Oaks demonstrated Bettor Beach’s strength against the fillies. The Eureka would present a different examination against the leading males and four-year-olds, although the preferential barrier draw adds to her appeal. TAB rates her an $8 chance.

Cigano is Harnesslink’s probable selection for Levarg Racing Group, with The Art Of Success the alternative. The forecast centres on a potential alliance with the Stewart stable and Jason Lee taking the reins.

Cigano advanced his credentials with a free-for-all victory at Melton in a 1:52.8 mile rate over 2240 metres. The Art Of Success also has a persuasive record, having extended her winning sequence to 10 in September’s Vicbred four-year-old mares’ final.

For Team Zav, Harnesslink gives Fox Dan the edge over younger alternatives Brooklyn Dan and Dynamitedan.

Fox Dan’s second placing in last year’s Eureka and subsequent Vicbred four-year-old final victory provide established credentials. Dynamitedan’s Victoria Derby win has strengthened the younger brigade’s challenge and added another consideration to Team Zav’s decision.

 

The Last Trip could influence several decisions

The Last Trip features prominently across Harnesslink’s forecast, reflecting both his recent form and the number of potential partnerships available. He is also TAB’s $4.50 second favourite.

He is assessed as a probable option for Cordina Racing and Western Jewel, as well as an alternative for Go Racing and Harnesslink.

His South Australian Pacing Cup heat victory provided a strong advertisement. Racing outside the leader, he sustained his effort to set a Globe Derby track record of 1:55.5 over 2645 metres. Fellow Eureka contender Forty Love also won his heat decisively, adding interest to Saturday’s final.

For The Last Trip, another strong performance could bring several discussions into sharper focus. His eventual placement may also influence where other contenders find a home.

That overlap is a feature of the current picture: one agreement could resolve a slot while prompting another holder to pursue an alternative.

 

NSW championships offer a timely audition

The NSW Breeders Challenge remains central to the assessment of Alert Bay, Yottie and Ark Sea.

Alert Bay won his October 13 Menangle heat in 1:51.3, while Yottie won his division by 10.8 metres. Their performances strengthened their claims at the track where the Eureka will be decided.

Harnesslink places Alert Bay alongside The Last Trip as Cordina Racing’s probable options, with Yottie, Sinaloa and Ark Sea among the alternatives.

For Western Jewel, Yottie and The Last Trip head the forecast, with Fate Awaits, Sinaloa and Ark Sea providing other possibilities.

The coming championship races offer an opportunity to compare those candidates under pressure. Speed matters, but so does the ability to settle, recover after doing work and finish strongly.

 

Western Australia and Queensland remain influential

Mad Monday is Harnesslink’s probable selection for Soho Standardbreds, with Soho Charmer the alternative.

The Greg and Skye Bond-trained four-year-old entered the discussion following his impressive first-up Gloucester Park victory. His trainers have publicly expressed interest in travelling east, with the four-year-old Classic and Golden Nugget providing further tests before the Eureka.

That creates a choice between an emerging western contender and the Soho-bred alternative identified in Harnesslink’s forecast.

Solid Earth’s probable representative is Fate Awaits, with Path To Greatness the alternative from Grant Dixon’s stable.

Fate Awaits reinforced his claims with another Albion Park victory, making it four wins from his past five starts. His placement is also relevant to Western Jewel’s alternatives, illustrating how closely several selections are connected.

 

Draw and distance shape the final choices

The Eureka’s 2300-metre distance and preferential barrier draw on age and sex give slot holders more to consider than recent finishing positions.

An advantageous draw can help a younger horse secure an economical run. An experienced four-year-old may offer greater strength when the pressure builds. Gate speed, racing manners and versatility will determine how effectively either can use its opportunity.

Harnesslink’s forecast identifies the probable selections and alternatives below. Further performances and negotiations will determine which partnerships become official.

 

How the market sees it

TAB’s pre-nomination market refunds bets on any runner that does not gain a slot. Hesitate is $9 with TAB but as short as $3.80 second favourite elsewhere.

Forecast as at October 21, 2026. “Probable” and “alternative” selections represent Harnesslink’s analysis; they are not confirmed agreements.

Horses appearing against multiple slots reflect competing possibilities and can represent only one slot in the race.

 

by Harnesslink Media