With 600 metres to go in Victoria’s richest trots race driver Greg Sugars expects to learn a lot about his stable addition, who will give him his first feel in Saturday’s Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup.
Triple Eight flew in today to join Sugars and wife Jess Tubbs’ Myrniong camp, three days after a thrilled part-owner Father Brian Glasheen plucked gate one at Sunday night’s barrier.
The six-year-old has been racing in New Zealand for Steven and Amanda Telfer, with his 57 starts producing $299,051 in stakes, but a change in ownership prompting a permanent move to Tubbs’ Victorian stable.
“I haven’t got much knowledge of him at the minute, with Steve Telfer doing most of the preparation,” Sugars said.
“He came across last year for the Hunter Cup, ran fourth in the Casey Classic and then got camped outside King Of Swing in the Hunter Cup at the start and tired. He’s only had around 50-odd starts, mostly against really good competition in New Zealand.”
It’s going to be a quick education for Sugars and most of it done on the last lap of Saturday’s $500,000 classic at Tabcorp Park Melton, but that’s not a completely unusual scenario.
“It’s nearly the same scenario as A Gs White Socks last year, I only had a look at him for two or three days before, went to the Ballarat Cup blind and he still got the job done,” he said.
“I can only hope (Triple Eight) settles in well and there will be unknowns when I’m driving him in the run and how he should feel.
“It’s not unusual. You can learn a bit by watching them, but until you experience it for yourself you don’t know 100 per cent.”
He will at least have every opportunity after the gate one draw.
With fast-starting Alta Orlando on his outside, Sugars will hope to glide on to the New South Wales’ gelding’s back and take the armchair ride to the final straight.
“He’s going to get a good spot without having to do too much work,” Sugars said.
“He follows the speed well and can finish off late, so it has probably worked out ideal. Alta Orlando is the obvious leader. I’m more than happy to jump on his back, what happens after that we’ll see.
“The two big guns (King Of Swing and Lochinvar Art) will possibly come looking for the lead off the back row. In any big race, as long as you are following the right horses, (the pegs are) as good a spot as any to be.”
HRV – Michael Howard