A week mixed emotions as Sugars lands Eureka drive

The rollercoaster week continues for star harness racing driver Greg Sugars.

Just 48 hours after the gut-wrenching disappointment of Fighter Command’s scratching from the $2.1mil TAB Eureka, Sugars has emerged from a pack of top contenders to land the drive on high-class mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou).

The drive became available when trainer Luke McCarthy opted to drive Don Hugo in the world’s richest harness race at Menangle on Saturday night.

“Every day is a new challenge in this game, no doubt about it,” Sugars said. “I’ve certainly experienced the highs and lows this week, from the disappointment of Fighter Command to picking up a drive on a mare with a really good chance.

“I obviously know of her and I’ve seen lots of her races, but now I’ll be doing a lot more homework.

“Talking to Luke this morning, he’s very happy with her and thinks she’s got a really good chance.”

Landing the Eye Keep Smiling drive adds to yet another huge night for Sugars, who also drives leading contender Better Eclipse in the other Menangle feature, the $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile.

Sugars admitted he was pleasantly surprised how well the Auckland Cup winner went winning first-up at Melton last Saturday.

“I think it’s one of his best runs,” he said. “Jess and I were saying at home how well he seemed and how good his work was, so it was terrific to see him come out at the races and go that well.

“He seems really well this time in and felt as good as ever.

“It’s the same with Just Believe. When you start to think they should have reached their peak at their age, they seem to still keep improving.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria