Young gun Will Rixon will drive emerging star The Last Trip in the $1.5 million TAB Eureka after playing a key role in securing the pacer a slot in the world’s richest pacing race.
Slot owner Daniel Cordina said Rixon had been instrumental in negotiations to secure The Last Trip for his Cordina Racing slot.
“Will really helped me broker the deal in a short period of time,” Cordina said.
“He’s a top young driver and a wonderful person and it just feels right for him to take the drive as well.
“The Last Trip has been on my radar for a month or so, but there were lots of other good options, too.
“It really started to come together after The Last Trip won here (Menangle) last Saturday and we got the paperwork signed from there.
“I’m thrilled. He became my preferred option and Will helped negotiate with the owners to get a deal done that all parties are happy with.”
The Last Trip has won 10 of his 14 starts, but it’s his seven wins (and a second) from eight starts since joining the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable that have stamped him as a star of the future.
His biggest win came in the $100,000 SA Cup in fantastic style on October 24.
Rixon was buzzing with the opportunity.
“It continues a real breakthrough year for me after winning the Nullarbor, the (Bathurst) Gold Crown and going over to the US and getting some winners, too,” he said.
“This is where I want to be, in these biggest races and driving horses with serious winning chances like The Last Trip.
“I haven’t driven for Emma and Clayton before either, so that will be exciting.”
Stewart and Tonkin have now equalled their record from last year with four of the 10 runners in this year’s TAB Eureka.
Their other confirmed runners are Victoria Oaks winner Bettor Beach (Harnesslink slot), rising star Cigano (Levarg Group) and last year’s runner-up Fox Dan (Danny and Jo Zavitsanos).
Stewart and Tonkin have been the dominant force in the three-year history of the TAB Eureka, winning it twice and recording two seconds and a third.
Encipher upstaged the great Leap To Fame to win the inaugural race in 2023.
Then, Bay Of Biscay (second) and High Above (third) filled the minor placings behind Don Hugo in 2024.
Last year, Bay Of Biscay returned to go one better and Fox Dan gave Stewart and Tonkin the quinella.
The Last Trip’s selection means there are only two slots left to fill in this year’s TAB Eureka – those of Kevin and Kay Seymour and Mick Harvey’s Go Racing.
The Seymours are expected to select one of their own pacers, either Fire And Passion or Path To Greatness, while Harvey is expected to make an imminent announcement.
