Encipher winning the inaugural TAB Eureka Photo by Pacepix/Club Menangle
MOST of the stars of an epic TAB Eureka will clash again in next month’s Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton.
Co-trainer Emma Stewart, still buzzing after what she described as “an unbelievable night”, is looking at the Victoria Cup on October 14 with TAB Eureka winner Encipher, although she has a string of suitable mares-only races as well.
Stewart also has stable stars like Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay, Inter Dominion placegetter Act Now and proven Group 1 performers like Mach Dan and Hurricane Harley heading towards the Victoria Cup.
She said Honolua Bay and champion mare Ladies In Red are “ready to trial,” but the latter would keep to racing her own sex in the early stages of her comeback from injury.
Queensland pacing sensation Leap To Fame, so brave in second place after doing all the work in the TAB Eureka, returned home to Grant Dixon’s stables outside Brisbane today.
“We were so proud of his run. A little disappointed he didn’t win it after going so well, but you couldn’t ask any more of him,” owner Kevin Seymour said.
“Grant wants to get him home, make sure the run hasn’t taken too much out of him and then lock in the plans by the end of the week.”
“But, if he’s well, we’ll fly him down and back for the Victoria Cup. There’s not much else for him between now and the Inter Dominion (in Brisbane in December).”
Trainer Andy Gath said Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave enjoyed getting back to his Long Forest stables near Melton yesterday after running below his best when a tiring eighth.
“He wasn’t himself. For some reason, he didn’t handle the retention barn as well as he had for the Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile,” he said.
“It’s good to have him home, he seems fine, and we’ll get him ready for the Victoria Cup now.”
Defending his Victoria Cup crown is the next major target for Mick Stanley’s stable star Rock N Roll Doo after his narrow but fantastic Group 1 Len Smith Mile win on TAB Eureka night.
“It was only that he went so well first-up we changed plans and went to the Len Smith. I’m glad we did,” Stanley said.
“It’s great to have him back to the horse we know he is, and we can’t wait for the Victoria Cup. It’s got the makings of a great race, and he should be better again with some more racing before then.”
The Victoria Cup is also a logical next target for dual Miracle Mile runner-up Spirit Of St Louis, who was beaten a whisker by Rock N Roll Doo in the Len Smith Mile.
One star who won’t be in the Victoria Cup is Captain Ravishing, who ran a slashing third in the TAB Eureka at his first run in six months.
“No, it was a battle to get him to the TAB Eureka, and he can have a break now,” Taiba said. “Getting him back for a crack at the Miracle Mile next year is the plan,” trainer Ahmed Taiba said.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
