TAB Eureka intrigue deepens
THE puzzle that is the world’s richest harness race became even more complex last night.
The $2.1mil TAB Eureka picture was supposed to be so much clearer after four key races across three states last night, but they only served to underline the depth and intrigue of the September 6 race at Menangle.
Leading owner Danny Zavitsanos is no closer to finalising his slot runner after his two contenders – War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan – both won brilliantly at Melton.
At Menangle, champion thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes’ brilliant three-year-old pacer Seathestars bolstered his claims for a slot with another brilliant win.’
And, underrated Queensland four-year-old Attachment thrashed his rivals in the Group 2 Qbred final at Albion Park.
Still six slots remain in the 10-horse race with next Saturday’s $50,000 Discovery at Menangle looming as crunch time for many key contenders.
“I thought I’d be able to make my decision after Melton (last night), but they (War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan) both went super so it has only made the decision harder,” Zavitsanos said.
“War Dan Buddy went terrific time and really burned down the back straight, so I’d thought he was right in the box seat (for a slot) after he won the first race (at Melton).
“But then Fox Dan came out, did all the work and left his rivals standing.
“If I had to choose right now, I think I’d lean slightly to Fox Dan, but I don’t have to. I think I’ll wait another week and we might even back-up War Dan Buddy in the Discovery next week to get another look at him.
“War Dan Buddy has the experience, but Fox Dan just gets better with every start and, being a three-year-old, he could potentially draw much better because of the preferential draw the three-year-olds get.”
Fox Dan and Seasthestars add to the growing list of serious three-year-old contenders for the TAB Eureka.
In the two runnings of the race so far, there have only been three three-year-olds compete, with Bay Of Biscay best of them when runner-up last year.
There will be four, maybe even five three-year-olds in this year’s race.
Seathestars returned after a freshen-up following a booming fourth in the Queensland Derby on July 19 to brilliantly beat older rivals at Menangle last night.
Hawkes and trainer Geoff Webster are desperately chasing a TAB Eureka slot.
“We’ve had some talks and that’s why we took him up (from Melbourne) to race at Menangle, to put him in front of the people who might take him in their slot,” Webster said.
“He can't do anymore. He’s really gone to another level this campaign and, looking at some of the three-year-olds who are likely to get runs, I think he’s up with any of them.”
Leading Queensland trainers Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin are weighing-up whether to take Attachment to Menangle for the Discovery after his win last night.
They had Wisper A Secret get into last year’s TAB Eureka as an emergency and he ran a terrific fourth to Don Hugo.
Bay of Biscay, Fighter Command, Hesitate and Call To Order are the four confirmed runners with slots in this year’s race.
Fate Awaits, Path To Greatness and Royal Cruiser are others believed to be almost certain of snaring slots.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
