Path To Greatness gets Seymour's Eureka nod

FRESH from an historic NZ Cup win last week, leviathan owner Kevin Seymour has his sights set on another first.

Seymour, still buzzing after Leap To Fame’s NZ Cup triumph, has settled on Path To Greatness as his slot runner in the world’s richest pacing race, the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle next Saturday night.

He is yet to win the TAB Eureka as an owner or slot holder.

“It came down to Fire And Passion and Path To Greatness and, as good as Fire And Passion was winning last night (Saturday), we’ve gone with the more experienced Path To Greatness,” he said.

“It was a really close call, but Grant (Dixon) just feels Path To Greatness has come back really well.”

Path To Greatness will get his second crack at the TAB Eureka after finishing seventh as a three-year-old last year.

Seymour has been a huge supporter of the TAB Eureka but is yet to win it as an owner or a slot holder.

The great Leap To Fame was a raging hot favourite in the inaugural 2023 TAB Eureka when a brave second to star mare Encipher.

“It was a tough call, that’s why we left it to the last minute,” Seymour said.

“I’ve been a huge supporter of this race and its importance since day one and everyone knows how much I’d love to win it.

“Even though we’ve just got one slot, we’ve got two cracks at it this year with our other horse, Fate Awaits, picking up Wayne Loader’s slot (Western Jewel).”

Seymour’s decision cements the final field for what shapes as a fascinating fourth running of the TAB Eureka.

The next crucial step is Tuesday’s barrier draw, which is preferential on age and sex.

Victoria Oaks winner Bettor Beach will draw the pole as the first three-year-old filly to land a slot in the history of the TAB Eureka.

Hot favourite Loucasso, unbeaten in six starts this campaign, will draw gates two or three with he and Soho Charmer being the only other three-year-olds in the race.

But Loucasso, who is $2 favourite, will have to defy history with a three-year-old yet to win the TAB Eureka.

That said, Bay Of Biscay ran second as a three-year-old in 2024 and returned to win as a four-year-old last year.

Three-year-olds Fox Dan, Hesitate and Go Miki ran second, third and fourth to Bay Of Biscay.

FINAL TAB EUREKA FIELD

1. Loucasso (Rampant Standardreds)
2. Double Lou (The Don -Tony Licastro)
3. Soho Charner (Soho Standardbreds – Rob Watson)
4. Bettor Beach (Harnesslink)
5. Fate Awaits (Western Jewel – Wayne Loader)
6. Cigano (Levarg Racing Group)
7. Fox Dan (Team Zav)
8. The Last Trip (Cordina Racing)
9. Hesitate (Go Racing)
10. Path To Greatness (Kevin and Kay Seymour)

Who Will Have the Winning Edge?

Loucasso remains the market favourite, while The Last Trip and Cigano have attracted strong support. Hesitate has also made a significant move in betting, firming from $35 into $15.

But with the barrier draw still to come, the TAB Eureka picture is far from complete.

Stay tuned for Harnesslink’s full race preview and analysis following Tuesday’s barrier draw.

From The Eureka