Loucasso targets TAB Eureka history

MARK Pitt believes boom juvenile Loucasso can create harness racing history in next year’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka.

Fresh from last night’s mesmerising Breeders Crown win, connections confirmed Loucasso would try and become the first three-year-old to win the TAB Eureka.

His stablemates Bay Of Biscay (2024) and Fox Dan (this year) have come closest by both running second.

Pitt, who has driven a long list of superstars youngsters for the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable, declared Loucasso the best of them after last night’s win.

The son of Sweet Lou stole the show with a 24.5m win in the 2YO colts and geldings final, pacing a scorching 1min52.2sec mile rate for 2240m.

It took a thumping 0.9sec off the previous race record.

His last three splits were remarkable at 27.8, 26.8 and 27.4sec.

“He’s very special, this guy. He’s probably the best juvenile I’ve driven so far. He’s got speed, he’s got strength and he’s got the looks to go with it,” Pitt said.

LOUCASSO REPLAY

Asked where Loucasso sat with all the horses he’s driven.

“If we’re talking in general, I’ve driven a lot of top horses. Ride High is probably the best I’ve driven and this guy is not far behind him,” he said.

Asked about the TAB Eureka, Pitt added: ”I actually think that’s his plan. Obviously he’ll have a bit of a let up now and the Eureka will be his big aim.

“He’s an ideal horse for it. We’ve seen the improvement since he won the Protostar (in July) and I think there’s still more improvement to come.”

Loucasso is raced by Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock, who are unashamed fans of the TAB Eureka.

“That’s the race we want to win. That’s why we go to the sales and buy yearlings,” Summit’s Jamie Durmberger-Smith said.

Loucasso finished his freshman season with nine starts for seven wins, a second and $450,204 in earnings.

ABR and Summit enjoyed a stellar night with wins in three of the four Breeders Crown pacings finals. The others were Captain Perfect in the 3YO colts and geldings final and Beach Diamond in the 3YO fillies’ final.

Co-trainer Clayton Tonkin said the TAB Eureka would also be the main aim for the tough and classy Captain Perfect.

“He’s definitely headed towards it,” he said. “He’s had a big season and been in every dog fight, so to finish with a Breeders Crown win is something he deserved.

“He can have a good break now and if he comes back and switches on a bit more, he’ll be up to all the big races.”

Tonkin and Stewart again made Breeders Crown night their own, winning all four pacing finals, the only races they had runners in.

If you include the likes of Always Hot, Fox Dan and The Highlight Reel, they have a powerful hand for next year.

In the three runnings so far, Stewart and Tonkin have two wins (Encipher in 2023 and Bay Of Biscay this year), two seconds (Bay Of Biscay in 2024 and Fox Dan this year) and a third (High Above in 2024).

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia