A tradition of success was reinstalled at harness racing’s Redwood Day at Maryborough as Don Smith teamed with the Tubbs family to capture another Group 1 moment.
Having enjoyed a thrilling run with Alan Tubbs-trained Melpark Mark a tick over a decade earlier, Smith returned to the winnersā circle with Tubbsā daughters trainer Jess and co-owner Amy to capture the Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic.
![Redwood success with Sugar on top 1](https://harnesslink.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Cognati1.jpg)
Cognati (Majestic Son), bred in Victoria by David Scott, flew the start while others miss-stepped and then cleared out in the run home to capture the $50,000 crown, with fillies filling the first three placings.
Reinsman Greg Sugars, who shares Larajay Farms with Jess Tubbs, was rapt post-race and told TrotsVision theyād āliked her from day oneā.
āWe picked her out of the yearling sales, and all credit goes to my sister-in-law Amy (Tubbs), sheās the one who saw her first and said youād better come and have a look at this girl,ā Sugars said. āSheās been my favourite ever since.
ā(Don Smith) got in touch with us on our way home from the sale and said ‘do you need anyone to take a share, because I wouldnāt mind being in the stable again?’
āWe were more than happy obviously to have him involved with the Tubbs girls with their previous connection with Melpark Major. A lot of special moments there, so really pleased he could join our team and we can get a few special moments of our own.ā
Despite beginning from the back row of the standing start, Sugars was able to soon workĀ his way to the front of affairs on Cognati, aided in part by the mistakes of others including fancied pair Susan Is Her Name and The Locomotive.
Sugars withstood an early challenge by Rockinwithattitude, which petered out when the latter broke, but young reinsman Jayden Barker was able to steady up, settle four back and then challenge again from the breeze in the final lap.
However, Rockinwithattitudeās campaign was snuffed out at the final bend when he broke again, this time disadvantaged after Cognati veered out, and the leader was able to scoot away for an eight-metre win ahead of Valerie Lane and Susan Is Her Name, who recovered well after her costly, early miss-step.
ā(Cognati)ās always been exceptional, her manners have been sensational basically right from the word go, apart from veering off the track late ā thatās a bad habit that sheās just got in to,ā Sugars said.
āItās kind of half put a sour taste in my mouth, I apologise to connections of Rockinwithattitude for what happened at the top of the straight there.
āOnce we got through the traffic early she just felt like the winner from a long way out. Sheās an incredibly good horse to deal with and train. You couldnāt ask for a better horse. Just a great doing horse, great type. We love her.ā
For complete race results and replays, click here.
byĀ Michael Howard, for HRV