Ballarat Burn For TAB Eureka Stars

TWO stars of the TAB Eureka will light-up Ballarat tomorrow morning.

Local trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin will take Queensland Derby winner The Lost Storm and high-class mare Encipher to Bray Raceway for a private trial.

Stewart and Tonkin looked seriously at racing The Lost Storm this weekend, but there was no suitable race.

“We looked at a lot of options, including working them between races at Shepparton (tomorrow night) or Melton Saturday night, but we landed on just taking them into Ballarat,’ Stewart said.

“Shepparton was a bit far and working them Friday not Saturday fitted their preparation better.

“They’re both well and obviously Encipher raced last weekend, but it’s been two weeks since The Lost Storm won (at Melton).

“By giving them this workout tomorrow, we can work them again at home early next week before taking them up to Sydney.

Stewart is thrilled Encipher will get her chance as the only mare in Saturday week’s $2.1mil race.

“We know how good she is because of how she works with the best at home,” she said. “She might not look impressive winning some times, but that’s just her.

“She’ll run a big race (in the Eureka). You saw her beat a strong free-for-all field here last week and she will love the 2400m.”

Stewart confirmed Mach Dan and Hurricane Harley would be the stable's two runners in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile on TAB Eureka night.

“Yes, just those two. They’ll both be very well suited,” she said.

“Act Now just needed the run the other night when he was first-up and he’ll stay here to prepare for the Victoria Cup.”

Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay’s return was delayed by a hoof abscess, but is progressing well now.

“The Queensland Inter Dominion is his main aim now. We’ll play it by ear if he's ready for the Victoria Cup or not,” she said.

And champion mare Ladies In Red is very close to a racetrack return from injury

“She’s just about ready to trial. We’re really happy with her,” Stewart said.

“She won’t go to the Victoria Cup because there are mares races for her.”

Asked about the Inter Dominion for Ladies In Red, Stewart said: “I don’t think she’ll go there. The mares' races will be her target, at least for the rest of this year.”

Author: Adam Hamilton