Back for a second crack

STAR four-year-old  The Lost Storm will launch his quest for a second crack at the world’s richest harness race when he steps out at Melton on Saturday night.

Winner of 12 of his 17 starts, The Lost Storm will have just his fourth start since last year’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka when he resumes in the Bold David Free-For-All in Melton.

In fact, the Emma Stewart-trained pacer has only raced once in the past seven months for an effortless win in the $50,000 Group Three Melton Plate on March 16.

“It’s been hard finding suitable races for him,” owner-breeder Justin Baker said. “But he’s heading to Queensland, and we need to get some racing on him.

“Emma said it’s all go for this week and they’re really happy with him.”

A dual Group One winner, The Lost Storm ran below his best when seventh in last year’s TAB Eureka.

But a year later and much more mature, connections are desperate for another tilt.

“We’re in talks for a slot and hope to confirm something in the next week or so,” Baker said. “It was such a great build-up and race night last year. Even though we didn’t get the result we hoped, it was fantastic to be part of it.”

The Lost Storm is one of at least three TAB Eureka hopefuls Stewart and co-trainer Clayton Tonkin are setting for the September 7 feature at Club Menangle.

Victoria Derby winner Petracca and Ride High’s untapped half-brother, High Above, are the others.

Baker said The Lost Storm would join the long list of stars heading to Brisbane to chase the Queensland Constellation riches in the coming weeks.

“I know Emma and Clayton are looking to take a team up,” he said. “The obvious race for ‘Bear’ (The Lost Storm’s stable name) is the Rising Sun (July 13).”

The $350,000 Rising Sun is likely to attract several of the key TAB Eureka contenders, including The Lost Storm, Chariots Of Fire winner Frankie Ferocious, the exciting Extreme Sea and Brad Hewitt’s classy Captain Knock.

• ADAM HAMILTON, HRA Media