The Last Trip heads to SA in quest to impress for TAB Eureka slot

EMERGING star The Last Trip will head chase the $100,000 South Australian Cup as his quest for a slot in the world’s richest pacing race continues.

Managing owner Ben Said said Harness Racing SA’s decision to boost the Cup prize money from $60,000 to $100,000 made it a very attractive target.

“Lots of the other top horses are going to the Victoria Cup, so this looks a really good option for us,” he said.

The heats of the SA Cup are at Globe Derby on Saturday night and clash with the Group 1 Victoria Cup on the same night. The SA Cup final is a week later.

The Last Trip has been a revelation this campaign with five successive wins before a fantastic second to stablemate Fox Dan in the Group 2 Vicbred 4YO final at his most recent run at Melton on September 19.

“By all reports from the stable (Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin), he’s come through the last run well and is raring to go again.”

The Last Trip’s surge through the grades has seen him firm into second favourite for the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on November 21.

Said makes no secret of the fact he wants to be part of it.

“I’m surprised none of the slot owners have snapped him up yet,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to a few of them and there’s interest, but he’s the second favourite and still available.

“I won’t be chasing. I’ll let the horse do the talking now, starting in Adelaide.

“If he goes as well as I expect, I’m sure I’ll have them calling me after the SA Cup.”

So far, just two slot runners have been confirmed for the TAB Eureka.

Loucasso for Rampant Standardbreds and Double Lou for Tony Licastro’s “The Don” slot.

Leeton owner-breeder John Rees celebrates his family's first group one win as Bailey McDonough drives Double Lou to victory on Saturday. Pictures by Club Menangle