Three-time Inter Dominion champion sets the dream

Our Sir Vancelot’s 1998 Inter Dominion victory sparked something for Greg Sugars who is now one of the top harness racing drivers in Australia.

At the time, Sugars was “only a kid” but the moment of watching Brian Hancock’s great pacer win his second Inter Dominion in the flesh gave the Victorian reinsman a dream.

“My mum took me over to Tasmania with my mini trotter and we were stabled near Our Sir Vancelot,” Sugars recalled.

“Watching him win the Inter Dominion with Brian Hancock blew my mind and ever since then I have dreamed of winning the Inter Dominion.”

Sugars has two chances of making that dream a reality on Saturday night at Menangle.

The 37-year-old is driving Triple Eight in the $500,000 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship and driving Maori Law in the $150,000 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship.

Both horses are fancied in the betting markets.

“Triple Eight is feeling great,” Sugars said.

“We’ve been really happy with him throughout the series and he has handled it well.

“If he was to win the Inter Dominion it would be really special.”

Trained by Sugars’ partner Jess Tubbs, Triple Eight advanced his way through the series with two placings and a fourth in the three heats.

The son of American Ideal has drawn barrier four for the final where Expensive Ego and King Of Swing are fluctuating favourites.

However, before Sugars’ drive on Triple Eight on Saturday night, his first shot of Inter Dominion glory is with the trotter Lawman gelding Maori Law.

“He has been super through the series and has a handy draw,” said Sugars.

“It will all depend on how the race unfolds but I expect him to be there at the finish.”

Maori Law has drawn barrier six and will come out of barrier five with the removal of the first emergency.

“It has always been a dream of mine to win the Inter Dominion and to have live chances going into the finals is exciting,” said Sugars.

“I finished second in the Inter Dominion with Flaming Flutter and then went to Western Australia with him and finished third in the Inter Dominion over there to Lennytheshark, so I’ve had a couple of placings.”

Sugars heads into Menangle’s meeting this weekend with 46 Group 1 wins to his credit.

To view the fields for Menangle on Saturday click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink