Six slots, nine days - Eureka slot holders on the clock

The clock is now running on the $1.5 million TAB Eureka. Six slot holders have until Saturday, November 14 to name their runners for the world’s richest pacing race, and the next nine days will decide who joins the four horses already confirmed.

Under the race conditions, slot holders can name a runner up to seven days before the Eureka, which will be run over 2300 metres at Club Menangle on Saturday, November 21.

Already in

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).

Still to decide

Team Zav. Danny and Jo Zavitsanos have a strong hand of their own. Fox Dan, second in last year’s Eureka, has led their thinking, but Brooklyn Dan has been building a case, and Victoria Derby winner Dynamitedan has also been mentioned as an option. HarnessLink has reported that the slot will go to a Stewart and Tonkin-trained runner.

“Brooklyn Dan is the one who could really challenge,” Danny Zavitsanos said.

Levarg Racing Group. The Lee family’s group is also believed to be looking closely at a runner from the Stewart and Tonkin stable, which brings six contenders to Menangle on Saturday night.

Go Racing. Mick Harvey has already filled his Harnesslink slot with Bettor Beach and has yet to announce a runner for his second slot.

Solid Earth, Cordina Racing and Western Jewel. The other three slot holders have kept their plans quiet. Solid Earth races Leap To Fame and has close ties to the Dixon stable.

The horses pressing their claims

There is no shortage of candidates. South Australian Pacing Cup winner The Last Trip and Western Australian four-year-old Mad Monday both posted impressive wins on October 24, at Globe Derby and Gloucester Park respectively. The Art Of Success has strung together a long winning sequence, and Cigano has been prominent in TAB’s Eureka market.

Among the three-year-olds, Yottie, Alert Bay, Dynamitedan and Brooklyn Dan are all in the conversation, while Forty Love and Hesitate meet in Friday night’s $100,000 The Bidgee at Riverina Paceway.

The last auditions

Friday and Saturday are the final big opportunities before the deadline. The Bidgee comes first, then Saturday’s Menangle program, where Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin run The Last Trip, Cigano, The Art Of Success, Let Her Roll, I Am The Storm and Most Exciting, and Loucasso races over the Eureka distance.

Each slot announcement will be covered on HarnessLink as it is made, with the full field to follow once the deadline passes on November 14.

 

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