The TAB Eureka favourite returns to racing

The TAB Eureka favourite Loucasso makes his long awaited racetrack return at Menangle on Saturday night.

New trainer-driver Seaton Grima said the boom three-year-old was “as good as I can have” ahead of his first start since winning the Group 2 Breeders Crown 2YO final last December when trained by Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.

“It’s a good starting point and I was keen to get a run into him before the heats of the Carousel a week later when he’ll face some fit and seasoned older horses,” he said.

“Alert Bay looks the hardest to beat this week. He’s got gate speed and is drawn better than us.

“I couldn’t be happier with Loucasso and it’ll be great to get him back to the races.

“As I’ve said before, he’s the first real headline horse I’ve trained and there are some great races coming up for him, but the Eureka is obviously the main focus.”

Despite drawing the outside (gate seven), Loucasso has been backed from $1.28 to $1.15 in early markets. Alert Bay is $5 second elect.

Such is the hype around Loucasso, who has won seven of just nine starts and over $400,000, he is already $2.50 prepost favourite for the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on November 21.

Also at Menangle, young gun driver returns to action after a holiday in the US where he tasted success at the iconic Meadowlands track.

“I get back Thursday and can’t wait to get back into driving at home,” he said. “It was a fantastic experience over here, but it’s an exciting time to get home with the Breeders Challenge and some other big races around the corner.”

PHOTO: Dan Costello