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News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘It's made the decision harder': 2025 Eureka harness race puzzle no closer to completion
The puzzle that is the world's richest harness race became even more complex last night. The $2.1 million TAB Eureka picture was supposed to be so much clearer after four key races across three states last night, but they only served to underline the depth and intrigue of the September 6 race at Menangle. Leading owner Danny Zavitsanos is no closer to finalising his slot runner after his two contenders – War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan – both won brilliantly at Melton. At Menangle, champion thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes' brilliant three-year-old pacer Seathestars bolstered his claims for a slot with another brilliant win.' And, underrated Queensland four-year-old Attachment thrashed his rivals in the Group 2 Qbred final at Albion Park. Six slots remain in the 10-horse race with next Saturday's $50,000 Discovery at Menangle looming as crunch time for many key contenders. 'I thought I'd be able to make my decision after Melton (last night), but they (War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan) both went super so it has only made the decision harder,' Zavitsanos said. 'War Dan Buddy went terrific time and really burned down the back straight, so I'd thought he was right in the box seat (for a slot) after he won the first race (at Melton). Ryan Sanderson-driven War Dan Buddy proves too good in the opener at Melton, taking out the Hertz Melton Pace for trainer Emma Stewart. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 16, 2025 'But then Fox Dan came out, did all the work and left his rivals standing. 'If I had to choose right now, I think I'd lean slightly to Fox Dan, but I don't have to. I think I'll wait another week and we might even back-up War Dan Buddy in the Discovery next week to get another look at him. 'War Dan Buddy has the experience, but Fox Dan just gets better with every start and, being a three-year-old, he could potentially draw much better because of the preferential draw the three-year-olds get.' Fox Dan brings up a treble for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Ryan Sanderson in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace at Melton tonight. The win also secures a double for owners Team Zav and marks a first treble for Sanderson at Melton. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 16, 2025 Fox Dan and Seasthestars add to the growing list of serious three-year-old contenders for the TAB Eureka. In the two runnings of the race so far, there have only been three three-year-olds compete, with Bay Of Biscay best of them when runner-up last year. There will be four, maybe even five three-year-olds in this year's race. Seathestars returned after a freshen-up following a booming fourth in the Queensland Derby on July 19 to brilliantly beat older rivals at Menangle last night. Hawkes and trainer Geoff Webster are desperately chasing a TAB Eureka slot. 'We've had some talks and that's why we took him up (from Melbourne) to race at Menangle, to put him in front of the people who might take him in their slot,' Webster said. 'He can't do anymore. He's really gone to another level this campaign and, looking at some of the three-year-olds who are likely to get runs, I think he's up with any of them.' Outstanding Win tonight for Seathestars @ClubMenangle He just keeps getting better and better with racing… Next stop @eurekarace All credit goes to Geoff Webster and @RixonnWill #eureka #whatathrill #patience @HRNSW_Harness — Hawkes Racing (@HawkesRacing) August 16, 2025 Leading Queensland trainers Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin are weighing-up whether to take Attachment to Menangle for the Discovery after his win last night. They had Wisper A Secret get into last year's TAB Eureka as an emergency and he ran a terrific fourth to Don Hugo. Bay of Biscay, Fighter Command, Hesitate and Call To Order are the four confirmed runners with slots in this year's race. Fate Awaits, Path To Greatness and Royal Cruiser are others believed to be almost certain of snaring slots.
News.com.au
36 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Bathurst Monday preview: Greg Stephens-trained Geostorm out to win race named in his honour
Veteran gelding Geostorm makes a triumphant return to the Central West on Monday to take part in the race that honours his achievements as the 2025/26 Bathurst Horse of the Year. Housed some 250km away in Canberra, Geostorm will be one of four Greg Stephens -trained gallopers making the trip, one that clearly delights the eight-year-old son of Golden Rose winner Epaulette. 'He just loves everything there,'' Stephens said. 'He likes the different air over that side of the world, it's a bit fresher and clearer than the coast. 'I think he is a bit like us, he loves the journey. It's actually a very scenic journey. 'A lot of people don't like the road we go on because it is winding and everything but we just go slow. 'We just poke along and I think that suits (the horses) too; they're not working on the truck.' Geostorm's title defence begins on Monday in the appropriately named Horse of The Year: Geostorm Benchmark 58 Handicap (1406m). 'He has always got a chance,'' Stephens says. 'There's speed in the race but Brock's (Ryan) smart and it might be our turn to push someone else along instead of letting them push us.' Stephens' remaining three runners all appear in quaddie legs at Monday's meeting. • Everest possibility for Waller's new leading Lady Geostorm kicks it off followed by the well-bred Niccolina, Tillman and the reliable Press Statement gelding Media Coverage. Niccolina, whose dam is a sister to Amelia's Dream, has raced at Bathurst twice for a second and a third. The daughter of Nicconi will go around with just 51kg on her back in the race named after the Club's Apprentice Jockey Of The Year, Siena Grima. 'Everything is good with her,'' Stephens reported. 'Young Caitlan (Sinclair) suits her very well. She loves the horse so they gel and I think if we can have a little bit of luck in transit, she'll certainly be there.' Tillman meanwhile is another of Stephens' string who excels at Bathurst. This particular son of the aforementioned Epaulette has a win and a third from his two runs there. 'He will run the journey out and Brock will suit him really well,'' Stephens says. 'He'll rate him perfectly and put him in the race on the turn where he needs to be.' Bringing it home for the Canberra quartet is Media Coverage in the last. 'We have got big raps on the horse,'' Stephens said. 'He has been very unlucky all this campaign.'
News.com.au
36 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Warriors star handed ban after controversial NRL thriller
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has claimed he no longer knows the rules after a crucial Adam Pompey try which set up the Warriors' round 24 win. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > But the win has come at a cost for the Warriors, with Jackson Ford dealt a three-match early-plea ban by the judiciary for a crusher tackle on Allan Corey in the 23rd minute. The suspension will be four weeks if unsuccessfully challenged. Ford will miss the rest of the regular season irrespective of if he accepts the three-game ban. The Dragons fought tooth and nail in the Go Media Stadium clash, forcing a fluid forward rotation after losing three players – Jack de Belin, Hamish Stewart and Hame Sele – across two first half incidents. They still led 10-4 at the break, after a Mathew Feagai double, then were forced into a mountain of defence as they hung against the top four Warriors side. A sweeping backline play in the 63rd minute drew Flanagan's ire, as Dragons five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia appealed for an obstruction penalty after being impeded by Marata Niukore, with Pompey crossing outside his second-row teammate. The footage was heavily scrutinised by the Bunker before being awarded, but that didn't sit well with Flanagan. 'What was an obstruction last week wasn't one this week,' he said. 'I've started playing footy when I was four years old; I don't know the rules anymore, I deadset don't know the rules. 'It's tough. We are a tough club, this is a tough unit, a connected unit, and we'll fight really hard for the next three weeks. 'Last week it was an obstruction, this week it was not. 'The boys asked out on the field numerous times and they just got shooed away. It's frustrating.' Pompey scored a second try 10 minutes later to put the Warriors up 14-10 with seven minutes to play, and while the Dragons had a late chance to score it amounted to nothing. They lost forwards duo Stewart and de Belin in the 14th minute after a sickening head clash, before Sele joined them in the sheds with a category 1 concussion in the 29th minute. Shane Flanagan opted against using his 18th man – winger Tyrell Sloan – until the 67th minute, leaving the remaining forwards with a mountain of work and more minutes than any would have planned for. Damien Cook made a staggering 61 tackles, David Klemmer made 36 and ran for 151 metres, and Jacob Liddle also made 35 tackles among the monstrous efforts across the pack. Fullback Clint Gutherson moved to lock to accommodate Sloan's arrival, while Cook spent time at prop, amid numerous positional tweaks as Flanagan was forced to rotate one forward in the most limited of interchange benches. Pompey crosses the line for the Warriors! ðŸ'° Watch #NRLWarriorsDragons LIVE on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE â€' Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 15, 2025 DRAGONS CARNAGE Jack de Belin's 250th NRL game didn't quite go the way he planned. He and Stewart attempted a tackle on Warriors prop James Fisher-Harris, who slipped by just a moment too fast for the Dragons duo. Their heads collided, as Stewart copped a cut along the hairline and de Belin crashed backwards to the turf. 'What a disaster for the Dragons given the positive opening they've had to this game,' said Warren Smith on Fox League. The Dragons led 4-0 at the time of the incident, but it got worse for the Dragons in the 29th minute after replacement forward Sele was also knocked out. Sele, who entered the game in place of Stewart, went low to tackle Dallin Watene-Zelezniak but caught the Warriors winger's hip. You can't stop Feagai! ðŸ'Š ðŸ'° Watch #NRLWarriorsDragons LIVE on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE â€' Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 15, 2025 DOING IT TOUGH The Warriors were far from their best, but the fact they found a way to win was enough to keep coach Andrew Webster happy – just. Two weeks ago they were done by the Dolphins on the siren, whereas this week they snuffed out the Dragons' last-gasp attempt to pinch victory. It's that result that gives Webster some solace. 'We're killing ourselves still, but tonight I think it was whatever it takes, we're not walking away without the points,' Webster said.
