Slot holders loaded with excitement post Eureka draw

4 September 2024

THE central west region of New South Wales will be represented in the world’s richest harness race - the $2.1 million TAB Eureka - at Menangle on Saturday night through Wayne and Julie Loader’s Western Jewel slot.

Loader, who has had a long association with the Bathurst Harness Racing Club for where he is currently a board member, has in recent times, and along with his wife Julie, thrown a lot into the sport with the pair becoming prominent owners in this state.

And after Monday morning’s barrier draw for The Eureka, they could hardly contain their excitement after their representative, the Luke McCarthy-trained mare Eye Keep Smiling, came up with gate four.

“We went into the barrier draw knowing the mare would draw either gate three or four given that the two younger horses in the race were guaranteed the inside draws,” said Loader.

“The other mare in the field is Major Delight and she drew gate three, but we were still very happy with the outcome.

“At this stage there has been no decision made on who will drive her, given that Luke [McCarthy] also has Don Hugo in the race.

“That aside, Luke indicated that he was very happy with her work-out on Sunday morning and is confident she will be spot-on for Saturday night.

“Julie and I are just rapt to have a live chance going into the Eureka, especially with Eye Keep Smiling and her owner Jackie Gibson.

“The whole build-up to this race has been exciting and we just cannot wait for Saturday to roll around.”

Eye Keep Smiling has been freshened up since her Queensland campaign and sits on the fifth line with the TAB fixed odds market at $11, with Western Australian visitor Never Ending remaining as the $3.50 favourite, despite drawing poorly in gate 14.