The Eureka dream has begun for 10 slot holders, led by John Singleton, after Harness Racing Australia announced the groups and individuals who have taken a stake in the sport’s richest race.
The slot holders were chosen by an independent panel and have committed to $100,000 a year for the first three years of the Eureka.
Eureka favourite Leap To Fame wins the NSW Derby at Menangle earlier this year.
It’s a race restricted to Australian-bred three- and four-year-old pacers with the first running for a $2.1 million purse to be held over 2300m at Menangle on September 2 next year.
“I saw what happened with The Everest and I just wanted to be part of this race from the beginning,” Singleton said. “I used to be part of the trots 30 years ago when they were as big as the gallops. This [concept] is the way back.”
Singleton is joined by harness racing’s biggest owners, including Kevin and Kay Seymour, Danny Zavitsanos, Rob Watson’s Soho Bloodstock, Summit Bloodstock, Wayne Loader, and Cordina Racing as inaugural slot holders.
John Cordina has had a passion for harness racing his whole life and wanted to be part of a race he believes will become the sport’s Everest.
“I think people were sceptical when The Everest started five years ago, but we have seen what it has become and when they talked of a slot race in harness racing we wanted to be part of it,” Cordina said.
“It’s only day one, but as a group, we are already talking about what horse we are going to get for the race to win it.”
Racing Queensland and Tasracing have purchased slots to be used as a promotion in their states, while Tabcorp as naming rights will hold a slot as it does in the Everest.
“This is such an innovative concept. For us to have a slot a year out and to be able to get our team and our energy behind it – we’re really excited,” Tabcorp chief executive Adam Rytenskild said. “We think this is a fantastic concept – not just for Australia, but for harness racing across the globe.”
HRA chief executive Andrew Kelly was delighted with the support and mix of slot holders from around Australia.
“We are thrilled with the spread and diversity of the slot holders,” Kelly said. “They have varied backgrounds, represent many key parts of the industry and all states are represented as well.
“Unveiling the slot holders is an exciting and significant part of The TAB Eureka journey as momentum continues to build.”
Early Eureka favourites Captain Ravishing and Leap To Fame, which is owned by slot holders Kevin and Kay Seymour, will clash in the Victoria Derby at Melton on Saturday night.
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