Legendary Sydney entrepreneur and sports enthusiast John “Singo’’ Singleton is renowned for thinking outside the square.
And that’s exactly what he has done to land on the runner for his slot in the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1million The TAB Eureka at Club Menangle.
Singleton, in partnership with Club Menangle, has created a new race where one of the contestants – not necessarily the winner – will snare the invite to represent his slot in the Eureka at Club Menangle on September 2.
It’s radical, it’s exciting and it is just what you would expect from Singo.
The new 2400m race, named “The Singo”, will be run on August 19, two weeks before The TAB Eureka, and only open to three and four-year-old Australian-bred pacers who have not yet been selected to contest the Eureka.
The Singo will carry a $50,000 purse, but be worth so much more on many levels.
Not only will Singleton, pictured above, select one runner to race in his Eureka slot, but it has also been revealed the four emergencies for big race on September 2 will come from The Singo field.
Further, all runners who contest The Singo and are not selected to contest the Eureka will be eligible for another new race, the $100,000 Stockade, which will essentially be a Eureka consolation on September 2 at Club Menangle.
The four emergencies for Eureka will be guaranteed a run in this event.
Singleton confirmed The Singo would be race three on the August 19 meeting and he and his advisors would review the race and announce after the running of the fourth event which runner had earned his tick for a Eureka start.
“The TAB Eureka has everybody talking and, as only Singo can, he’s added another fascinating twist to the build-up,” says Club Menangle racing manager David Wonson.
“It’s fantastic to have Singo involved in The TAB Eureka. He’s been a huge supporter since day one and he wanted to work with us to find a different way of filling his slot – we love what he’s come up with.
“The eyes of the harness racing world will be on Menangle for the first Saturday in September, and now Singo’s got them watching from two weeks out.”
Further details of The TAB Eureka and The Singo can be found at: www.theeureka.com.au
