A runner-by-runner guide for Saturday night’s TAB Eureka at Menangle

An armchair runner-by-runner guide for Saturday night’s TAB Eureka at Menangle.

The scene is set for an enthralling TAB Eureka on Saturday night at Menangle.

Adam Hamilton previews the field of 10 to face the starter for the $2.1 million showpiece.

1. FIGHTER COMMAND (VIC) - SCRATCHED

2. BAY OF BISCAY (VIC)

SLOT OWNER: Kevin & Kay Seymour

TRAINER: Emma Stewart

DRIVER: Cam Hart

RECORD: 13-7-4-1

PRIZE MONEY: $223,080

BEST RUN: 2nd 2024 Gp1 Queensland Derby

HAMILTON SAYS: One of two three-year-olds in the race. Another who has always looked a star in the making and the starting to bring it all together. Monstrous Qld Derby run after doing all the work. Preferential draw and Cam Hart drives big plusses. Can win.

TAB ODDS: $16

TAB Eureka hopeful Bay Of Biscay

3. MAJOR DELIGHT (VIC)

SLOT OWNER: Team Zav

TRAINER: Emma Stewart

DRIVER: Ashleigh Delosa

RECORD: 27-22-3-1

PRIZE MONEY: $681,872

BEST RUN: Won 2023 Gp1 Breeders Crown final

HAMILTON SAYS: Former superstar filly who has carried her amazing strike rate into open-aged mares’ racing. Has the early speed to take advantage of her (good) preferential barrier draw. This is by far her biggest test against the boys. Looks under the odds for mine, rough claims.

TAB ODDS: $5.50

The Eureka hopeful Major Delight Picture: Stuart McCormick

4. EYE KEEP SMILING (NSW)

SLOT OWNER: Western Jewel

TRAINER: Luke McCarthy

DRIVER: Greg Sugars

RECORD: 21-14-4-0

PRIZE MONEY: $300,299

BEST RUN: WON 2024 Gp1 Golden Girl

HAMILTON SAYS: Terrific mare who has really matured this campaign, as evidenced by the Golden Girl win. Trainer won this race last year on a mare (Encipher) and insists this girl is very comparable. Draw helps, commands respect.

TAB ODDS: $11

Eye Keep Smiling is all set for Saturday night's TAB Eureka

5. SURE THING CAPTAIN (QLD)

SLOT OWNER: TAB

TRAINER: Shannon Price

DRIVER: Adam Sanderson

RECORD: 23-10-2-3

PRIZE MONEY: $180,478

BEST RUN: WON 2023 The Stockade

HAMILTON SAYS: Won the “consolation” (The Stockade) of this race last year, but he’s come a long way since. Really matured as he showed winning his way into this field last week. Trainer says he’ll be better again and has the gate speed be an early player from good draw. One of the better hopes.

TAB ODDS: $3.80

Sure Thing Captain has been well supported in betting for The Eureka

6. WISPER A SECRET (QLD)

SLOT OWNER: Tasracing

TRAINER: Chantal Turpin

DRIVER: Pete McMullen

RECORD: 29-12-6-2

PRIZE MONEY: $355,161

BEST RUN: WON 2024 Gp1 Rising Sun

HAMILTON SAYS: Gets in as emergency to replace Fighter Command, but certainly deserves a run. Big win in the Rising Sun in July and smashed the clock flying home from a mile back behind Sure Thing Captain last week. Good draw, fast beginner and has a genuine winning hope.

TAB ODDS: $11

Can Wisper A Secret make the most of a call-up into The Eureka?

7. FREE THINKER (QLD)

SLOT OWNER: Racing Queensland

TRAINER-DRIVER: Grant Dixon

RECORD: 36-9-7-9

PRIZE MONEY: $256,464

BEST RUN: WON 2024 The Hayden

HAMILTON SAYS: Freshened-up going into this, which he needed after a couple of below par runs. Stablemate of champion pacer Leap To Fame (second in this race last year), but doesn’t have his weapons. Place very best.

TAB ODDS: $71

Free Thinker will be driven by Grant Dixon

9. HIGH ABOVE (VIC)

SLOT OWNER: Aaron Bain Racing & Summit Bloodstock

TRAINER: Emma Stewart

DRIVER: Kerryn Manning

RECORD: 9-5-1-1

PRIZE MONEY: $36,530

BEST RUN: WON 2023 Holloway Classic

HAMILTON SAYS: Has the race come a year early for him? No doubt he’s a rare talent, but he’s going in at just his 10th start. Looked a much better racehorse his past two. Will need to be parked away and saved for the last crack at them. Rough hope.

TAB ODDS: $13

High Above will be driven by Kerryn Manning in The Eureka

10. DON HUGO (NSW)

SLOT OWNER: John Singleton

TRAINER-DRIVER Luke McCarthy

RECORD: 36-10-9-7

PRIZE MONEY: $244,174

BEST RUN: 2nd 2024 Gp1 Rising Sun

HAMILTON SAYS: Really taken the next step this campaign. That Rising Sun run was fantastic after doing all the grunt work. In the words of Luke McCarthy “he’s right in the zone at the moment.” Lovely preparation and one of key players.

TAB ODDS: $5.50

Don Hugo has been well supported in betting for Saturday's TAB Eureka

11. CAPTAINS KNOCK (NSW)

SLOT OWNER: Cordina Racing

TRAINER-DRIVER: Brad Hewitt

RECORD: 33-13-3-6

PRIZE MONEY: $388,576

BEST RUN: 3rd 2024 Gp1 Chariots Of Fire

HAMILTON SAYS: Ultra consistent in strong open-class races in recent times. One of the best groundings of any runner. Some of his runs have been excellent. Will need the right luck, but he’s very experienced at this track. Maybe a place.

TAB ODDS: $41

Captains Knock has come in for support ahead of Saturday night's The Eureka

14. NEVER ENDING (WA)

SLOT OWNER: Soho Standardbreds

TRAINER: Justin Prentice

DRIVER: Gary Hall Jr

RECORD: 22-16-3-1

PRIZE MONEY: $633,000

BEST RUN: 2nd 2023 Gp1 WA Derby

HAMILTON SAYS: Could be a superstar in the making. Always oozed talent and really coming together as a complete racehorse this campaign. Blistering speed and developing strength and ringcraft. Massive run last start. Fantastic driver and clearly the one to beat despite wide draw.

TAB ODDS: $3.20

Never Ending has maintained favouritism despite the tricky draw

EMERGENCIES: 8. Dougs Platter, 12. Regazzo Di Tilly and 13. Dangerous.

· If there is another scratching, the slot owner of that horse gets to choose from any of the three remaining emergencies as a replacement

Originally published as A runner-by-runner guide for Saturday night’s TAB Eureka at Menangle