The scene is set for an epic first edition of the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka.

Understandably, in that mesmerizing aftermath of Leap To Fame’s Albion Park win last Saturday, some said write his name on the winner’s cheque right now.

But, as breathtaking as Grant Dixon’s young star was, the TAB Eureka will be by far his biggest test.

Sure, he has to get through his first Grand Circuit test first in Saturday week’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

Leap To Fame will meet some seasoned, high-class and older rivals in that race, but it’s the young bucks – his own contemporaries – who are changing Australasian pacing for the better.

Catch A Wave, who completed that remarkable Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile double earlier this year, and the freakishly fast and gifted Captain Ravishing, the long-time TAB Eureka favourite, loom
largest.

In a delicious entrée, it’s looking very likely Catch A Wave and Captain Ravishing will have a workout together in the terrific Team Zav promotional night for the TAB Eureka at Geelong on Friday, August
4.

“Catch A Wave will trial Tuesday (at Melton) and then we’ll look for a race for him. We’re really happy how he’s developed and come back after his spell,” trainer Andy Gath said.

“We’re very keen to support Danny and Jo (Zavitsanos) and the Team Zav night, we’re up for promoting the sport anyway we can.

“As long as their night doesn’t clash with a race he’s in, we’ll be there.”

Danny Zavitsanos, who has Captain Ravishing racing in the Team Zav slot in the TAB Eureka, said the powerhouse four-year-old was also on target to step-out at Geelong on August 4.

“I’ve spoken to Hass (Taiba, owner) and he wants to support the night. Things can change, but at this stage it fits their plans,” he said.

“I’m passionate about my local club (Geelong) and harness racing. We’re doing everything we can to get a stack of people along to Geelong on August 4, and really put the sport and the race (TAB Eureka) up in lights.

“I’ll also be taking some of my potential future TAB Eureka horses in Petracca and Gawn along with a few others to either race or work between races on the night.”

The X-factor in the TAB Eureka is Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s three-year-old The Lost Storm, who returned from a lengthy spell with an effortless and sharp Bendigo win last Saturday night.

It’s no secret Stewart, Tonkin and owner-breeder Justin Baker have a monstrous opinion of the young star.

And he gets the benefit of a preferential (great) barrier draw being a
three-year-old taking on the four-year-olds.

There will be nowhere to hide in the TAB Eureka, over a gruelling 2400m trip around the biggest and fastest track in this part of the world, Menangle.

Like everyone watching Leap To Fame last Saturday night, Gath was mightily impressed. But he also knows things can change quickly.

He’s danced this dance before, just a few months back when many said he was kidding himself trying to beat Captain Ravishing in the Chariots Of Fire.

He not only beat him in that race, but also Australasia’s premier speed test, the Miracle Mile, two weeks later.

“He was amazing the other night. The arrogance to hit the line under a hold and win so easily after the times he ran. I’ve got huge respect for the horse and Grant (Dixon, trainer-driver). I’ve loved his horse since he won the NSW Derby 18 months ago,” Gath said.

“He’s going to be very hard to beat, but lots, including myself, thought we’d struggle to beat Captain Ravishing and we did.

“We’re just lucky to have one of very few horses good enough to possibly beat him, if everything went right.”

There’s something very special about the fact the TAB Eureka, in its first year, will bring together the four brightest young stars of the sport for the first time in their careers.