Sugars optimistic with new addition

Greg Sugars is optimistic the tide will turn in Gee Smith's favor when he steps out at Tabcorp Park tonight, amid hopes the recent Larajay Farm addition will find consistency after an all-or-nothing beginning to his career.

Sugars joined today's Talking Trots on Track show to preview his five drives including the aforementioned Gee Smith, who will contest the Cogs Pace, which streams at 6.37pm on Trots Vision.

The three-year-old Sportswriter gelding joined Sugars and trainer Jess Tubbs in March, having recorded two wins from four starts in the preceding three months for trainer Emma Stewart.

He proceeded to run sixth at Charlton on March 15 in his only start for Tubbs, when he broke gait while sitting in the breeze outside well performed Urbadboy. He returns tonight after a freshen up.

"Touch wood, this preparation he's behaved himself really well," Sugars told SENTrack. "I was happy with his trial, he hit the line strongly and most importantly he was on his best behaviour.

"If he turns up with that attitude and does everything right he should get a good run in transit and hit the line pretty hard. I do give him a really good hope tonight."

Good Form analyst Craig Rail has priced Gee Smith a $3.20 chance from his gate eight draw, second favourite to Radical Major ($2.80).

"There's not a great deal between them," Sugars said. "(Radical Major) will have probably a fitness edge, we've only had the one trial and a soft trial at that under our belt. 

"I've got  lot of respect for Radical Major, but hopefully we'll get a soft run, which will help even things up in our favour."

Of his other runners, Sugars told Talking Trots on Track:

R1 N6 Giuseppe Moon

"He's going really well at the moment, (trainer Tony Calabria)'s done a terrific job with it this time in. There's no reason why it won't run another consistent race tonight. It's a tough little horse, lacks a little high speed, but if he gets in the right position he's always a chance."

R2 N1 Jade Nien

"Will be fitter for his couple of runs this time in. Good draw and probably a similair field to what he met last week.

"He's pretty honest and does everything right and just probably lacks speed. He came pretty close to pinching his first victory last week, hopefully we can go one better. He should run as good as last week, probably a touch better having that run under his belt."

R5 N4 Bao Nien

"He's a bit of a headache at times, he can do things wrong. He's got a few tricks along the way, but he's just had a bit of a freshen up between runs and seems fairly well within himself. 

"Last couple of work-outs at home have probably been as good as he's worked since we've had him. He's one you can't have a lot of faith in, you can't have a lot of trust in unfortunately, but he's got his share of ability. If he does everything right he's never too far away in his races."

R6 N10 Fiscal Fantasy

"Back row draw shouldn't be an issue, if she gets a good run in transit she should hit the line well because fitness won't be an issue now."

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW

TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:

Hosts Jason Bonnington and Blake Redden have another big line-up for today's Talking Trots on SENTrack, which runs weekdays from 11am-1pm on 1377AM in Melbourne, 657AM in Perth and 1575AM in Wollongong. The show includes the Friday Good Form panel from noon.

Then from 6-10pm it's time to tune back in for Friday Night Trackside featuring Sam Hargreaves and Tim O'Connor. The duo stream on SENTrack (1377AM) for the entire show and SEN1116 (1116AM) from 8-10pm.

Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.

Harness Racing Victoria