Eureka watch as Stewart’s Menangle raid puts remaining slots in focus

Hesitate’s Friday assignment at Wagga, a powerful Victorian team at Menangle and a crucial test for Fox Dan could bring the remaining TAB Eureka selections into sharper focus this week.

Four runners are confirmed. Six slots remain without publicly announced representatives. And another important weekend could determine who joins the field for the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Club Menangle on November 21.

Harnesslink’s Bettor Beach has joined Loucasso, Double Lou and Soho Charmer among the confirmed runners. Behind them, competition for the remaining places is intensifying, with established contenders facing fresh challenges from horses producing their best form at the right time.

This week’s attention stretches from Friday’s $100,000 Bidgee at Riverina Paceway to Saturday’s Menangle program, where Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin have assembled six runners with the potential to influence several slot decisions.

Hesitate gets his opportunity at Wagga

Hesitate’s appearance in Friday’s Group 3 Bidgee over 2800 metres provides an important guide for Go Racing.

Last year’s Eureka third placegetter is listed as number 10 in a strong field that also includes Forty Love, Max Delight, Its Confidential and Nyack.

For Harnesslink’s forecast, Hesitate remains Go Racing’s probable selection. But Friday is an opportunity to strengthen his claims on the track.

The staying contest should reveal more about his fitness, strength and finishing effort as he progresses towards a possible Eureka return. Forty Love also has an opportunity to advance his claims after finishing second to The Last Trip in the South Australian Pacing Cup.

A convincing performance from either would add another consideration for slot holders still weighing their options.

Stewart brings depth to Menangle

The Stewart–Tonkin contingent comprises I Am The Storm, Cigano, Let Her Roll, The Art Of Success, The Last Trip and Most Exciting.

The Last Trip arrives with the momentum of his commanding South Australian Pacing Cup victory. Cigano remains central to Harnesslink’s forecast for Levarg Racing Group, while the two mares offer another dimension to the selection process.

Saturday also gives I Am The Storm and Most Exciting an opportunity to demand closer attention.

Those records illustrate the depth of the team. The Art Of Success has finished in the first three in all 13 appearances for Stewart, while The Last Trip has won seven of eight.

The question for slot holders is how effectively that form translates to Menangle, particularly when assessing horses whose speed must ultimately carry them through a demanding 2300-metre Eureka.

Loucasso and Alert Bay add another attraction

Loucasso has been nominated to return over 2300 metres, adding considerable interest to Saturday’s program.

The distance is particularly relevant. His recent mile performances have established his brilliance; a run over the Eureka trip would provide another useful guide to his preparation.

Alert Bay has also been nominated to back up after his excellent second to Loucasso in the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge final. His three-year-old assignment brings the prospect of a clash with Most Exciting.

For Alert Bay, another strong performance could make it increasingly difficult for the remaining slot holders to pass him over.

Fox Dan must earn Team Zav’s selection

Danny Zavitsanos has made the position clear: Fox Dan remains his preferred candidate, but sentiment will not determine Team Zav’s runner.

Fox Dan returned with a strong second to Storms Collide at Swan Hill, racing outside the winner in a track-record performance. Zavitsanos wants him to back that effort up at Melton this week.

Importantly, Brooklyn Dan and Victoria Derby winner Dynamitedan have been ruled out of Team Zav’s selection. The Last Trip and Cigano are the alternatives Zavitsanos has identified if Fox Dan does not convince him.

That changes Harnesslink’s previous forecast. Team Zav’s dilemma now centres on Fox Dan’s readiness against the claims of available stablemates.

It also links his decision directly to Saturday’s Menangle performances.

Cordina has options aplenty

Harnesslink continues to give The Last Trip the edge in its Cordina Racing forecast. But Ark Sea and Alert Bay have strengthened their claims, while Yottie and Nocturnal remain among the possibilities as do a host of Emma Stewart horses.

Daniel Cordina has several credible candidates to assess—and Saturday could change their order again.

Western Jewel forecast gains support

Harnesslink’s forecast of Wayne Loader reuniting with Fate Awaits remains a prediction, although public reporting now points to Loader potentially exercising a first rights provision from their previous partnership.

If that occurs, Kevin Seymour would need another representative for Solid Earth. Harnesslink continues to expect a selection from his racing team, with Path To Greatness or Fire Raiser among possible options.

Neither slot should be treated as settled until an announcement is made.

Confirmed runners keep raising the standard

Loucasso and Double Lou reinforced the strength of the confirmed brigade with impressive NSW Breeders Challenge final victories last weekend.

Double Lou recorded a personal-best 1:48 mile in the four-year-old entires and geldings final. Loucasso secured his three-year-old Group 1, with Alert Bay chasing him home.

Bettor Beach, meanwhile, gives Harnesslink a distinctive contender: a dual Group 1-winning three-year-old filly whose speed, staying credentials and preferential draw make her an intriguing addition to the field.

For the horses still seeking a place, this week is about showing they deserve a slot.

Friday tests Hesitate and Forty Love, while Saturday gives the Menangle contenders their chance to influence the remaining selections.

From Harnesslink Media