Sugars jumps off last start Group 1 winner

The decision has meant champion reinsman Chris Alford has been booked to drive Better Eclipse, who was a brilliant winner of last weekend’s Sunshine Sprint.

Sugars was at the controls in that elite-level feature, but will side with Triple Eight from the inside front row draw of one this weekend.

Better Eclipse will begin directly behind, but his stablemate’s limited early gate speed could prove problematic.

“It’s not an easy decision,” Sugars told Burning Questions.

“I think both horses are really at the top of their game at the moment.

“Obviously Triple Eight has been racing at this level for a few seasons really and Better Eclipse is the new kid on the block, sort of on the way up.

“The draw is probably not great for Better Eclipse. I think, obviously, Triple Eight will get crossed at the start maybe by two or three horses, so we are going to get shuffled back.

“That’s why I’ve gone with the master Chris Alford. He’s going to have to make the right decision – whether he gets off the fence early or waits for luck late.

“But he’s probably got more decisions to make on that one than what I will with Triple Eight.”

Both Triple Eight and Better Eclipse are trained by Sugars’ wife Jess Tubbs at their property in Myrniong.

Sugars drove Triple Eight to win the Mr Feelgood Open at Albion Park on July 9, with Adam Sanderson in the bike when Better Eclipse prevailed in the Sunshine Sprint. Sanderson and Triple Eight were beaten less than 10m.

The Blacks A Fake is a $355,000 Group 1 Grand Circuit classic that will be run over the long trip of 2680m.