Power Rankings — The Eureka Harness Race

MONDAY 1 JULY - Adam HAMILTON

THE gut-wrenching injury to big gun Extreme Sea has robbed the TAB Eureka of a major drawcard and caused a major reshuffle to the Power Rankings.

The four-year-old’s stunning past four wins, in quick times and by big margins, has seen him rocket into the top three in Power Rankings and he shared favouritism before he was ruled-out of the world’s richest harness race on Sunday.

It adds to the importance of Chariots Of Fire winner Frankie Ferocious, who has the TAB slot in the September 7. He resumes from a spell at Menangle on Saturday and is now a clear top seed for the TAB Eureka.

Young WA star Never Ending, who is also nearing a racetrack return, is second seed, while gifted Victorian The Lost Storm moves into third spot on the Power Rankings.

The major mover this week was David Moran’s Captain Hammerhead after returning to his best form with a fantastic Melton win in quick time and after doing all the work last Saturday night. He moved up from ninth to sixth.

The Lost Storm’s trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, who won last year’s inaugural TAB Eureka with Encipher, now have four of the top 10 with the talented Perfect Class making his first appearance in 10th spot.

Fans are anxiously awaiting the racetrack returns of stablemates Petracca and High Above after the pair sparkled in Melton trials last week. They are fourth and fifth respectively in the Power Rankings.

You’ll note Dougs Platter remains at nine. That’s because he fibrillated when down the track at Menangle last Saturday night, so it was a total forgive run.

TAB EUREKA POWER RANKINGS

1. FRANKIE FEROCIOUS

Explosive pacer and still largely untapped. That Miracle Mile run showed he is up with the very best. Only has to return in the same sort of form to be a deserved favourite.

2. NEVER ENDING

Got his slot with Soho Standardbreds. Love this big, raw fella. Would have gone close to winning the Gp1 Nullarbor had he found room when it mattered. Still learning, but should be primed by TAB Eureka time and the big Menangle track will suit.

3. THE LOST STORM

Didn’t deliver in last year’s race as a 3YO and sparingly raced since. There’s no doubting his talent and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with some regular racing through the Queensland winter, headed by a clash with Frankie Ferocious and others in the Rising Sun.

UP FROM 4TH SPOT

4. PETRACCA

One of at least three major contenders for Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin. Victoria Derby winner with 11 wins from just 14 starts. Being specifically set for this, along with stablemate High Above.

UP FROM 6TH SPOT

5. HIGH ABOVE

The X-factor and another Emma Stewart/Clayton Tonkin contender. Half-brother to the freakishly talented Ride High. Only raced four times for three wins and not since scoring at Ballarat in August, last year. Held in huge regard by stable.

UP FROM 8TH SPOT

6. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD

UP FROM 9TH SPOT

7. CAPTAINS KNOCK

Landed the early Cordina Racing slot. Proven class performer with more seasoning than many of his key rivals. Good third in the Chariots Of Fire and it’ll be great to see what he does in Queensland in coming weeks.

DOWN FROM 5TH SPOT

8. FOR REAL LIFE

Lightly raced and very exciting Queenslander with 13 wins from just 24 starts. Won five on end before a Menangle raid, but galloping out and taking no part in a Chariots Of Fire qualifier. Scratched from Albion Park last Saturday night, but only with a slight temperature.

DOWN FROM 7TH SPOT