Our Luciano. Photo by Club Menangle
THERE’S five down and five spots left for the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1m TAB Eureka.
And some of those remaining five slotholders could well make up their minds this Saturday night on who will represent them after Race 5, the Racenet Discovery Stakes at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
That’s because connections of most of the field would love to grab one of the spots still to be filled for the September 6 feature.
Cordina Racing made their choice this week and signed up the Geoff Webster-trained Seathestars to fill their slot.
That three-year-old joins Fighter Command (Tas Racing), Hesitate (John Singleton), Call To Order (Racing Queensland) and Bay Of Biscay (Soho Standardbred) as confirmed starters for the Eureka.
The TAB is expected to make an announcement of their runner in the next few days, with the James Rattray-trained and driven Our Luciano favoured to win that slot.
Our Luciano gets the final chance to press his claims when the four-year-old takes on a classy field in Race 3 this Saturday night.
Still, it’s the later race that will capture the imagination with the likes of Miki To Success, Royal Cruiser, Glitter Aint Gold, Our Goat and even Vite Monet, Bella Danza and Look Like Diamonds ready to press for their inclusion.
Bathurst trainer Bernie Hewitt has booked his nephew Brad to handle one of his hopes, Royal Cruiser, while he will drive Our Goat.
“I’m surprised and even disappointed that at least one of them hasn’t already landed a slot,” said Hewitt.
“Their form during the Brisbane carnival was fantastic and in genuine free-for-all class.
“Royal Cruiser is the one I’m struggling to understand hasn’t been picked up.
“Two starts back he was only 0.9sec outside Leap To Fame’s Albion Park track record winning a free-for-all by a big space and he just missed last time from behind the leader.
“I’ve tried to freshen them a little since coming home, but they’re raring to go and it looks like it’ll come down to this race if one or both have any chance of getting in now.”
Brad Hewitt looks set for a big night as he also drives Horn Player up against Our Luciano.
Horn Player boasts three wins and eight placings from his last 11 outings.
“He's drawn well and is going just as well, so he won't be far away again,” said Hewitt.
“He's come a long way this season and is staying competitive in open grade.”
