Latest news with #Seathestars
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- 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.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
2025 TAB Eureka: Six slots still up for grabs for $2.1m race
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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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). '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 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.' 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. • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes has a Queensland Derby harness racing contender in Seathestars
Horses are both big business and a hobby for Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes. The business side is the powerhouse stable Hawkes runs with sons Michael and Wayne with about 60 horses in work across Sydney and Melbourne, headed by The Everest contender Briasa. The hobby is harness racing. 'I grew up in Adelaide around lots of harness trainers, some real legends, and have great memories of going to the old Wayville track when I was about 15,' Hawkes. 'I've always loved the pacers and I must have raced about 20 of them with different mates over the years, mostly with Geoff Webster (trainer). Jenny (Hawkes' wife) and I love watching the trots of a Saturday night.' This Saturday they'll be watching one of their own when emerging three-year-old Seathestars – named after the former champion Irish thoroughbred – struts his stuff at Melton as a possible pointer to a Queensland Derby raid next month. 'I think he's a cog below the top ones at this stage, but he's getting there. He'll need to go really well from a bad draw (gate 11) this week to show he's worthy of a trip to Brisbane, but I'll leave that to Geoff (Webster),' Hawkes said. Seathestars has raced just 14 times for three wins and eight placings, including a third in the Group 2 Gold Chalice final at Bathurst in March. He narrowly won his last start at Melton on May 31. Jordan Leedham-driven Seathestars powers to an impressive victory in the final race of the night, the Nutrien Equine Pace at Melton, for trainer Geoff Webster. — The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) March 8, 2025 'He led and I don't think he's as good in front, he's more of a chaser at this stage,' Hawkes said. Hawkes' harness team grew when made a surprise appearance at the Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sales earlier this year and spent $260,000 on two yearlings. 'I had some friends who were keen to go in a horse or two with me and they are Sydney-based, so I bought a couple for Luke McCarthy to train,' Hawkes said. Those friends include star jockeys Tommy Berry, Tyler Schiller and Zac Lloyd. The marquee buy was a Captaintreacherous colt out of Island Banner, a daughter of former NZ Cup-winning mare Mainland Banner, who sold for $200,000. Hawkes said he and Jenny were huge fans of McCarthy's three-time Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing, whose first crop sold through the sale. 'Jenny really wanted a King Of Swing (yearling), too, so we picked up a nice one,' he said. It is a colt out of the well-related Kiwi mare Northern Velocity. 'Now we've just got to hope they'll turn out okay,' Hawkes said. 'The guys were keen to see them race up here so that's why we've gone with Luke, who is as good as it gets.' Back to the business side of horses and Hawkes can't wait to see Briasa back after a spell. 'He'll come back even better, you watch. What he's done so far has largely been on raw ability. He's very good, but he'll need to be aiming at a race like the Everest,' he said. 'We've had a really good season for a relatively small stable compared to the biggest and there's a few two-year-olds we're excited about seeing back next season.'
