LEVIATHAN WA owner Rob Watson knows what it feels like to win the world’s richest pacing race, but now he wants to go to the next level.
Watson used his Soho Standardbreds slot to partner with the Emma Stewart-trained Bay of Biscay and won last year’s TAB Eureka at Club Menangle.
This time he’s keeping it all “in-house” and running one of his own exciting pacers, Soho Charmer, in his slot for the $1.5 million race on November 21.
“I really bought the slot with the idea of running my own horses, but you’ve also got to be realistic and try to win it,” he said.
“Bay Of Biscay looked an obvious standout last year and when he was available early, I snapped him up.
“It’s a very different race this year. Loucasso is the favourite and he’s got a slot, but I’ve also got some nice three-year-olds.
“We had a few options, but Mick (Stanley, trainer) and I felt ‘Charmer’ was the right horse.”
Soho Charmer has raced 20 times for eight wins and six placings.
The son of Watson’s own pacer Soho Tribeca ran a terrific third from a tricky back from draw in the Group 1 Victoria Derby last Saturday week.
“He’s lovely horse, fast and strong, and the preferential (barrier) draws the three-year-olds get is important,” Watson said.
“Winning it last year with our slot was a huge thrill, but doing it with one of our horses would be extra special.”
Although no three-year-old has won the TAB Eureka in its three-year history, Bay of Biscay was three when he ran second in 2024 and three-year-olds Fox Dan, Hesitate and Go Miki ran second, third and fourth respectively last year.
Soho Charmer is the third confirmed TAB Eureka runner and second three-year-old.
Loucasso, the other three-year-old, has the Rampant Standardbreds slot, while Double Lou will run in Tony Licastro’s “The Don” slot.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
The Last Trip. PHOTO: Walter Bulyga