Eureka field confirmed and Victorians dominate

[Wandering Eyes]

by Adam Hamilton

The field for the world’s richest harness race is complete.

Victorians dominant Saturday week’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka on numbers with half the 10-horse field trained in the state, headed by Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave.

The other Victorians through are: Queensland Derby winner The Lost Storm, star mare Encipher, the gifted Captain Ravishing and now emerging three-year-old Captain Hammerhead.

The last slot, that of John Singleton, went to the David Moran-trained Captain Hammerhead when he upstaged some older and more fancied rivals to brilliantly win last Saturday night’s inaugural $50,000 The Singo at Menangle.

His win, the fact he will draw well as three-year-old and a disappointing run from hot favourite Tims A Trooper convinced Singleton’s advisor, Jason Turnbull, to go with Captain Hammerhead.

The other five TAB Eureka runner are: Leap To Fame (Queensland), Speak The Truth (Queensland), My Ultimate Ronnie (NSW), Ripp (NSW) and Magician (Tasmania).

It’s as good as a race as Australia has seen in many, many years.

The barrier draw is at 11am NZ time Wednesday week.

Moran, who has some history to overturn at Menangle, was thrilled Captain Hammerhead got the nod.

“He’s always had the motor, but he’s a big, floating fella who has taken some time. He’ll be better again next year, but has to draw well so we can drive him quiet and hope in what’s an incredibly strong race,” he said.

Under the preferential draw conditions, Captain Hammerhead and The Lost Storm, will get either barrier one or two as the only three-year-olds in the race.

Then gate three will go to the only mare, Encipher.

She was sublime beating a serious field of proven open-class boys for the first time in the Westburn Grant free-for-all (2240m) at Melton last Saturday night.

“Don’t sell her short. I was surprised it took someone so long to take her in a slot,” driver Kate Gath said.

Gath will switch to Catch A Wave in the TAB Eureka, which paves the way for champion Luke McCarthy to drive her for the first time.

Catch A Wave and The Lost Storm could have final lead-up runs at Melton on Saturday night.

“It’s an option, but I’m leaning towards going to a Melton trial the Tuesday before the Eureka and heading to Menangle the following day,” trainer Andy Gath said.

Emma Stewart said of The Lost Storm: “There’s a chance he’ll run this week.”

Captain Ravishing, who hasn’t raced or trialled since the Miracle Mile on March 4, is set to trial at Menangle on Wednesday while trainer-driver Grant Dixon confirmed $1.80 TAB Eureka favourite Leap To Fame would go straight to the race.

by Adam Hamilton

The field for the world’s richest harness race is complete.

Victorians dominant Saturday week’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka on numbers with half the 10-horse field trained in the state, headed by Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave.

The other Victorians through are: Queensland Derby winner The Lost Storm, star mare Encipher, the gifted Captain Ravishing and now emerging three-year-old Captain Hammerhead.

The last slot, that of John Singleton, went to the David Moran-trained Captain Hammerhead when he upstaged some older and more fancied rivals to brilliantly win last Saturday night’s inaugural $50,000 The Singo at Menangle.

His win, the fact he will draw well as three-year-old and a disappointing run from hot favourite Tims A Trooper convinced Singleton’s advisor, Jason Turnbull, to go with Captain Hammerhead.

The other five TAB Eureka runner are: Leap To Fame (Queensland), Speak The Truth (Queensland), My Ultimate Ronnie (NSW), Ripp (NSW) and Magician (Tasmania).

It’s as good as a race as Australia has seen in many, many years.

The barrier draw is at 11am NZ time Wednesday week.

Moran, who has some history to overturn at Menangle, was thrilled Captain Hammerhead got the nod.

“He’s always had the motor, but he’s a big, floating fella who has taken some time. He’ll be better again next year, but has to draw well so we can drive him quiet and hope in what’s an incredibly strong race,” he said.

Under the preferential draw conditions, Captain Hammerhead and The Lost Storm, will get either barrier one or two as the only three-year-olds in the race.

Then gate three will go to the only mare, Encipher.

She was sublime beating a serious field of proven open-class boys for the first time in the Westburn Grant free-for-all (2240m) at Melton last Saturday night.

“Don’t sell her short. I was surprised it took someone so long to take her in a slot,” driver Kate Gath said.

Gath will switch to Catch A Wave in the TAB Eureka, which paves the way for champion Luke McCarthy to drive her for the first time.

Catch A Wave and The Lost Storm could have final lead-up runs at Melton on Saturday night.

“It’s an option, but I’m leaning towards going to a Melton trial the Tuesday before the Eureka and heading to Menangle the following day,” trainer Andy Gath said.

Emma Stewart said of The Lost Storm: “There’s a chance he’ll run this week.”

Captain Ravishing, who hasn’t raced or trialled since the Miracle Mile on March 4, is set to trial at Menangle on Wednesday while trainer-driver Grant Dixon confirmed $1.80 TAB Eureka favourite Leap To Fame would go straight to the race.

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