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

Change is hard. Change doesn’t always work, but those outside the harness racing bubble would argue it’s a lack of change or innovation that has seen its market share halve and relevance in the sporting landscape almost vanish.

Put a ring around August 4 in your diary.

There was a time when some argued Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin were flat track bullies.

Well, technically, the assertion was they were almost unstoppable in their own backyard, but somewhat reluctant to travel and vulnerable when they did.

Hasn’t that changed.

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

There is a real air of anticipation about Albion Park on Saturday night.

Only now has Jess Tubbs conceded the weight of a nation she and Greg Sugars felt taking Just Believe to Sweden.

And that’s why the heartbreak of the Elitlopp hit so hard, especially for Sugars who took the reins on Just Believe.

It is fair to say Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin have been reluctant travellers in the past.

But, buoyed by Ladies In Red’s dominant Group 1 Rising Sun win at Albion Park last year, there has been a real shift of mindset.

The world’s richest harness race will be run in NSW on September 2, but Victoria will provide the backbone to it.

As Just Believe prepares for an epic challenge in Sunday’s Elitloppet, there is every reason to believe he will be the start of a train of Down Under stars chasing the world’s most iconic trotting race.

The jigsaw is starting to come together.

And the inaugural $2.1mil TAB Eureka is shaping to be something special.

What can Victorian harness racing do to try and craft something like the magic of the Warrnambool May Carnival?

During the three-hour drive back, between the Bendigo trots and some old-school music, a mate and I discussed that very question.

Watching Amazing Dream beat some of the world’s best mares in New York last week got me thinking: The harness racing world, especially now the pandemic is behind us, really is a small one.

The inaugural $1 million Nullarbor was a success on just about every level, including giving WA harness racing a much needed opportunity to attract genuine eastern state stars back to race at Gloucester Park.

Just Believe’s invitation to the Elitlopp is both something to celebrate and a wonderful opportunity to promote the sport.

It is also a tremendous recognition for the growing force that Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars are, along with Down Under harness racing as a whole.

Whether you are a slot race fan or not, they have certainly added a spike at an otherwise quiet time in harness racing.

We are just four days out from what will be a stellar night of harness action across Australasia.

Is it ideal the $NZ1mil Race by Grins and $1mil Nullarbor are on the same night? No, of course not, but the big upside is the five-hour window of excitement it will provide for harness fans on Friday.

Innovation is a buzzword.

But, in the case of harness racing, it should be the word at the front of everyone’s mind.