‘Candyman’ cruising out in front

Superstar Victorian reinsman Greg “The Candyman” Sugars has pinched a break on his rivals on the State harness racing driver’s premiership.

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Sugars, who prepares a big team of horses with his wife Jess Tubbs at their Larajay Farms property at Myrniong, west of Melbourne, has posted 79 wins for the season so far 12 clear of his nearest rival.

Since shifting from South Australia, Sugars and Bolinda champion horseman Chris Alford have gone “toe to toe” in the battle for driving honors, but with Sugars managing to claim the title only once previously.

From the 1993/94 season, Alford has claimed the leading driver title a remarkable 17 times. Kerryn Manning had a purple patch for five seasons from 2000/2001 while the brilliant Daryl Douglas then got on a roll from 2005/2006 to string together six seasons of being the premiership reinsman.

That man Alford then returned to the fore to take 10 leading driver titles, including a record high of 456 winners in 2017/2018.

Sugars pinched the honors in 2014/2015 with 254 winners.

His father Ross established himself as a star trainer-driver in South Australia—following in the footsteps of his legendary father, the late Len Sugars. They trained out of a property at Virginia on the outskirts of Adelaide.

When Ross decided a move to Victoria was in the best interests of his family in 2004, Len remained in South Australia on the property until 2015 when he moved into a retirement village at Hope Valley. He died in September of last year aged 96.

Greg Sugars holds the 12-win margin over Ballarat young gun James Herbertson, with Alford now a clear third on 65.

A look at the Victorian drivers’ premiership is as follows: Greg Sugars, 79 wins; James Herbertson, 67; Chris Alford 65; Mark Pitt 64; Jack Laugher and Ellen Tormey 57 each; Nathan Jack 47; Tayla French 40; Jackie Barker 38; Kate Gath 37; Ryan Sanderson 36; Michelle Phillips 30; Connor Clarke 29; and Alex Ashwood 25.

Herbertson drove a superb race to land Harry Stamper (Majestic Son – Dwindle Mist (Sundon) in the NSW Trotters Derby at Menangle on Saturday night. After racing midfield until the bell, the Joe Pace-trained square gaiter was set alight and scored impressively.

Harry Stamper is raced by Sam Castro, who has been a loyal client with the stable over the years. Purchased from New Zealand, the gelding could be anything, having two starts for two wins since arriving over here. Pace is now looking toward the Victoria Trotters Derby later in the season.

Talented Bendigo pair Ellen Tormey and Jack Laugher both have registered 57 wins so far for the season. Laugher was another in the spotlight at the weekend claiming his first G1 success with Mister Hunter (Huntsville – Moremi Miss (Blissful Hall) in the APG Vic Gold Bullion final for 2yo colts and geldings at Melton.

Mister Hunter, trained by Vince Dicocco, was awesome with a last-to-first victory. A huge group of jubilant owners were on track to cheer the colt home.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink