Eureka Weekend Wrap: Loucasso goes odds-on as Cigano lands a slot

Loucasso (Sweet Lou – Our Little Artist) is now an odds-on TAB Eureka favourite after his first win over 2300m at Menangle on Saturday night to make it nine consecutive wins.

Driven by trainer Seaton Grima, the colt led throughout the 24HR Fight Against Cancer and won by 11.3m at $1.10 from the Emma Stewart trained I Am The Storm. He ran his last quarter in 26.6 for a 1:53.0 mile rate. Grima has no plans to race him again before the Eureka, and the runner for slot holder Rampant Standardbreds is now $1.85.

At Melton, Bettor Beach (Bettors Delight – Beach Garden) led and won the Dynamic Print Group Pace over 1720m by 14.6m. Kate Gath drove the Stewart trained filly, who started at $1.06 and ran her last quarter in 26.0 for a 1:52.6 mile rate. The runner for slot holder Harnesslink is $8.

Fate Awaits (Always B Miki – For All We Know) led from barrier one in the Woodlands Stud Junior FFA over 2138m at Albion Park and ran his last two quarters in 27.1 and 26.0. With Grant Dixon in New Zealand with Leap To Fame for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, Jack Chapple drove the $1.12 favourite, who won by 6.0m in a 1:54.2 mile rate. The runner for slot holder Western Jewel is $12.

Double Lou, the runner for slot holder The Don, had the weekend off after winning the NSW Breeders Challenge final for four-year-old males a week earlier in a 1:48.0 mile rate. He is $7.50.

Soho Charmer, the runner for slot holder Soho Standardbreds, has not raced since his third in the Victoria Derby and is $21.

Cigano (Poster Boy – Frankincense) was confirmed on Monday morning as the runner for slot holder Levarg Racing Group, giving Stewart a second confirmed runner alongside Bettor Beach. Jason Lee will drive.

At Menangle on Saturday, the four-year-old went three wide early from barrier 10 for Mark Pitt and was fourth with 400m to run before a 25.5 final quarter. The $1.06 favourite won by 8.0m in a 1:53.5 mile rate and is $6.

“We’ve always had a big opinion of him and he’s really showing this campaign,” Stewart said.

Besides the confirmed slot runners, several Stewart runners pressed their claims.

The Last Trip (Poster Boy – Fususi) led and won the Huntsville Standing over 1609m at Menangle by 4.8m at $1.07 for Pitt in a 1:50.3 mile rate. The four-year-old gelding has firmed to $3.

Sent out the $1.90 favourite in the Sue Kelly Stakes over 1609m at Menangle, The Art Of Success raced tough outside the leader but was beaten 5.5m into fourth behind Wicked Confession. She remains $5.50.

At Melton, Fox Dan (Art Major – Jodila) sat outside the leader in the Mimosa Homes Free For All over 1720m but held off Yambukian by a head at $1.35 in a 1:51.5 mile rate on Nathan Jack’s first drive. He has not been confirmed for a slot and is $8.50.

“What a great little racehorse, great manners and a great trier,” Jack said.

Ark Sea did not race after winning the NSW Breeders Challenge final for three-year-old fillies a week earlier and is $12.

Hesitate finished eighth at $6.50 in The Bidgee at Wagga on Friday night, 18.5m from Max Delight. He has eased out to $15.

Four slots remain open for the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on November 21, held by Cordina Racing, Team Zav, Solid Earth and Go Racing. TAB refunds futures bets on any runner that does not gain a slot.

 

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From Harnesslink Media