The build-up to the TAB Eureka has it all.

The intrigue, the different training approaches, the passion from all Aussie harness racing states to be part of it and now the desperation for what looks like the last available slot in the 10-horse, $2.1mil race at Menangle on September 2.

For months we’ve known the big guns have been locked-in, headed by Leap To Fame, Catch A Wave, The Lost Storm and Captain Ravishing (more on him soon), but the jostle for the last few slots, however difficult it may be for them to win, has added so much widespread interest.

If we assume Ripp will fill the “Western Jewel” slot of his owner Wayne Loader, the lone remaining way into the world’s richest harness race is via Saturday night’s $50,000 The Singo at Menangle.

We will know late today (Monday) what the final Singo field looks like and the options available to the always effervescent and fascinating John Singleton for his slot.

In typical “Singo” fashion, it will be the horse Singleton is most drawn to from the race, not necessarily the winner, who will earn his slot.

We already know the pulling power The Singo has had, with talented pacers coming from everywhere – including WA, Tasmania and Queensland – in the hope of catching Singleton’s eye.

Star WA mare Wonderful To Fly is being flown from Perth to Melbourne today and will travel by road to Sydney to tackle the race.

Mickey Oh, the emerging Tassie pacer who ran second in the Beautide to Magician, is already on the mainland preparing for The Singo.

And there is the nominal Singo favourite, Leap To Fame’s highly-talented stablemate, Tims A Trooper, who is heading down from Queensland. He was fantastic winning at Albion Park last Saturday night.

That’s without knowing what Victorians and NSW hopefuls will also tackle The Singo.

Importantly, given just one of them can earn Singleton’s slot, the others will be guaranteed a run in a $100,000 “consolation” (The Stockade), at Menangle on TAB Eureka night. It’s an inspired move to those willing to travel so far to chase their TAB Eureka dream.

Victoria leads the way with four of the eight confirmed TAB Eureka runners so far: Catch A Wave, The Lost Storm, Captain Ravishing and Encipher (bred and owned in SA, but trained in Victoria).

It will be interesting to see if any other Victorians tackle The Singo.

Captain Ravishing, for all the obvious reasons, is the most intriguing of the Victorian contenders, and probably of all contenders for that matter.

Trainer Ahmed Taiba went on record weeks ago with his daring plan to take the powerhouse four-year-old into the 2400m TAB Eureka first-up without a race for six months.

His reasoning? “If we’re going to win it, it will be with his speed so we want to keep him as fresh as we can. He’ll be driven to use his speed.”

Further complicating things, Captain Ravishing “got on” a hoof during his cosy Geelong workout last Friday week and missed some valuable training last week.

But Taiba was smiling again after a “pleasing” hit-out at his Sunbury property.

We are all watching Captain Ravishing’s every step, so his first official trial – now at Shepparton on Thursday night – will be a big thing.

You get the feeling the big boy will need to really impress Taiba and connections to head to Sydney for what is another planned trial at Menangle ahead of the TAB Eureka.

Victoria’s two biggest guns, Catch A Wave and The Lost Storm, both won impressively at Melton last Saturday night and look right on target.

Trainer Andy Gath has said Catch A Wave won’t race again before the TAB Eureka, but Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin are yet to declare their hand with The Lost Storm.

While Catch A Wave switched-off a little in the closing stages of his win, The Lost Storm also looked to “loaf” a bit when he was coasting with 150m to go.

There’s no doubt Queensland sensation Leap To Fame is the horse to beat in the TAB Eureka, but Victoria has the two, if not three, major dangers.

It's been a long, long while since I’ve looked forward to a race as much.