Soho Charmer gets the call as Watson keeps his Eureka slot in-house

Rob Watson won last year’s TAB Eureka with a horse from another stable. This year he is backin one of his own.

Soho Charmer, a three-year-old son of Watson’s own pacer Soho Tribeca, has been named as the runner for the slot holder (Soho Standardbreds) in the $1.5 million race at Club Menangle on Saturday, November 21. The colt is trained by Michael Stanley.

He becomes the third confirmed Eureka runner and the second three-year-old, joining Loucasso, the runner for the slot holder (Rampant Standardbreds), and Double Lou, for the slot holder (The Don).

Seven slots remain open.

Watson took a different route to the Eureka 12 months ago. He used the Soho Standardbreds slot on the Emma Stewart-trained Bay Of Biscay, who went on to win the world’s richest pacing race. Watson explained that Bay Of Biscay had stood out last year, so when the horse became available early, he moved quickly to secure him.

This time the decision was made at home. Watson said he had originally bought the slot with the idea of running his own horses, while accepting that he also had to be realistic about trying to win the race. With Loucasso the favourite and already holding a slot, he weighed up several options with Stanley before the pair agreed that Soho Charmer was the right horse.

Soho Charmer has raced 20 times for eight wins and six placings. His latest run was a strong third in the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Melton on October 17, after he had to overcome a tricky draw on the second row.

His spring has not been without its moments. He started favourite in an APG Vicbred Super Series semi-final in September but galloped soon after the start, ending his chances. He bounced back with a Melton trial win on October 2, leading throughout and beating a field that included proven open class pacers.

Watson described the colt as fast and strong, and said the preferential barrier draw for three-year-olds was an important factor in the choice. He said last year’s win with the slot was a huge thrill, but winning with a horse he bred himself would mean even more.

“Doing it with one of our horses would be extra special,” Rob Watson said.

History gives three-year-olds both encouragement and a warning. No three-year-old has won the Eureka in its three editions, but they have come close. Bay Of Biscay finished second as a three-year-old in 2024, and last year three-year-olds Fox Dan, Hesitate and Go Miki filled second third and fourth behind him. A record six three-year-olds contested last year’s race.

The benchmark among this year’s three-year-olds is clear. Loucasso is the $2.40 TAB Eureka favourite after a career-best 1:47.6 win at Menangle on Saturday night, his 11th win from 13 starts.

Soho Charmer is a three-year-old colt by Soho Tribeca, owned and bred by Rob Watson and trained by Michael Stanley. He has won eight of his 20 starts, with six placings, and will run in the TAB Eureka for the slot holder (Soho Standardbreds), which won the 2025 race with Bay Of Biscay.

 

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