Better than what they thought

Betterthancheddar gelding Better Eclipse keeps rising to every challenge thrown at him and tonight (Jul.16) it was harness racing’s time-honoured $152,500 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park.

That was the four-year-old’s second Group 1 triumph in 29 starts and continues to amaze driver Greg Sugars who now has 51 Group 1 wins to his credit.

“When we first got him we went to Mildura for an easy kill with him and he just fell in and it sounds silly now,” said Sugars.

“You just don’t know where you next good horse is.

“He’s incredible, you throw him in the deep end and he measures up each time.

“This guys loves the challenges and keeps rising to it.”

Sugars’ partner Jess Tubbs trains Better Eclipse, and together they operate Larajay Farm.

“Jess and I are relatively new to the training caper, Larajay Farm has been operating for four or five years and it can be a bit daunting at times,” Sugars said.

“We are just lucky to have a horse like this walk into our barn.

“I was familiar with him before we trained him, I used to drive him, and he has always had ability.

“To think he would be competitive at this level is amazing.

“He’s only a veteran of less than 30 starts and has already competed at some of the biggest races so far and hopefully there’s more to come.”

Despite admitting the training aspect is daunting, Sugars certainly had his driving game face on tonight.

After beginning from barrier four, Sugars and Better Eclipse, or Jimmy as he’s affectionately known, faced the breeze momentarily before finding their way to the lead.

From there Sugars dictated terms and after a solid first quarter of 27.4 seconds was able to ease through the middle half run in identical quarters of 29.1.

Zipping up the home straight in 28.6, Better Eclipse had more than a metre to spare over Spirit Of St Louis with Turn It Up in third in a 1:52.2 mile rate.

BETTER ECLIPSE REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink