SAM Hewitt wants to be part of the world’s richest pacing race with his star filly Ark Sea.
Fresh from winning last night’s Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge final, Hewitt is exploring all options to snare one of the remaining slots in the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on November 21.
“I’d love to be part of it. I think she deserves it and I’m sure she’d be super competitive with the preferential draw,” Hewitt said.
“Drawing one or two and getting a soft run on the pegs would be perfect for her in a race like this. She’d love it and be really dangerous late.
“I’m doing my homework today on the remaining slots and I’ll make some calls.”
The Cordina Racing slot looks the most obvious.
There is some urgency for Hewitt as his back-up plan if Ark Sea doesn’t land a TAB Eureka slot is a trip to New Zealand.
The target would be the $NZ200,000 Group 1 NZ Oaks at Addington on November 20, the night before the TAB Eureka.
“I’d much rather stay home for a crack at the Eureka. A 90-minute drive sounds much easier than flying to NZ, but if that’s not going to happen< then NZ becomes really attractive.
“She’s been quite lightly raced this year and I’m sure she’s got another big peak in her.
“If that’s not the Eureka, then I’d love to try NZ.
“I’d have to know either way in the next week or so because NZ would take some planning.”
PHOTO: Club Menangle
Ark Sea winning the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge final. Photo by Club Menangle