MARK Pitt believes young Loucasso can make running history with next year’s $2.1 million TAB Eureka.
Fresh from last night’s enchanting Breeders Crown victory, connections confirmed that Loucasso would attempt to become the first three-year-old to win the TAB Eureka.
His stablemates Bay of Biscay (2024) and Fox Dan (this year) came closest, both finishing second.
Pitt, who has ridden a long list of young superstars for powerhouses Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, named Loucasso among the best of them after last night’s win.
The son of Dear Lou stole the show with a 24.5m victory in the 2-year-old stallions and geldings final, covering a blistering mile speed of 1 minute 52.2 seconds over a distance of 2240 metres.
It took a staggering 0.9 seconds off the previous race record.
His last three splits were notable: 27.8, 26.8 and 27.4 seconds.
“He’s very special, this guy. He’s probably the best juvenile I’ve ridden so far. He’s got speed, he’s got power and he’s got the looks to go with it,” Pitt said.
LOUCASSO REPEAT
Asked where Loucasso sat with all the horses he controlled.
“Generally speaking, I’ve ridden a lot of top horses. Ride High is probably the best I’ve ridden and this guy isn’t 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 rest now and the Eureka will be his big goal.
“He is an ideal horse for it. We have seen the improvement since he won the Protostar (in July) and I think there is more improvement to come.”
Loucasso is ridden by Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock, unashamed fans of the TAB Eureka.
“That’s the race we want to win. That’s why we go to sales and buy yearlings,” said Summit’s Jamie Durmberger-Smith.
Loucasso finished his freshman season with nine starts, seven wins, one second and $450,204 in earnings.
ABR and Summit enjoyed a great night with victories in three of the four Breeders Crown pacing finals. The others were Captain Perfect in the final of the 3-year-old stallions and geldings and Beach Diamond in the final of the 3-year-old fillies.
Co-trainer Clayton Tonkin said the TAB Eureka would also be the main target for the tough and stylish Captain Perfect.
“He’s definitely on his way there,” he said. “He has had a great season and has been in every dogfight, so to finish with a win in the Breeders Crown is something he deserved.
“He can have a good break now and if he comes back and shifts gears a bit more, he can do all the big races.”
Tonkin and Stewart once again made it their own Breeders Crown night, winning all four pacing finals, the only races in which they had runners.
If you include names like Always Hot, Fox Dan and The Highlight Reel, they have a powerful hand for next year.
In the three races so far, Stewart and Tonkin have taken 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).
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
#Loucasso #focuses #history #TAB #Eureka