Victorians dominate in $50,000 NSW classic

It’s a New South Wales classic – but it was an all-Victorian finish in tonight’s $50,000 Group 2 Carousel Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

In an exciting finish, Better Eclipse (Greg Sugars) wore down Bettor Call Me (Mattie Craven) in the straight, to score a one and three-quarter metre win, with Ardens Ace (Darren Binskin) 13 metres further back in third place.

Sugars, regarded as one of Victoria’s leading reinsmen, was full of praise for both his winner and the runner-up after their 1:52.5 mile rate win over the 2300m journey.

“That was pretty exciting,” grinned Sugars.

“He was travelling well on the home turn and had passed a few of the tiring ones but Mattie (Craven’s) horse was still travelling pretty well at that stage too.

“I have plenty of respect for Bettor Call Me, but it’s a long straight and we got there in the end.”

Sugars’ partner Jess Tubbs trains Better Eclipse at Myrniong and the gun reinsman explained that the three-year-old son of Betterthancheddar had only been with the stable for a short time.

“He works with our Inter Dominion hope Triple Eight at home and while he’s not at his level yet, give him six to 12 months and he’ll be right up there with the best of them, competing with the good ones,” said Sugars.

Craven lamented that he made his run probably a fraction earlier than he really wanted.

“I gave him a flick with the whip and he picked up the bit and got going and in hindsight I may have done that a bit too early,” he said.

“As it turned out he just had a little too tough of a run and couldn’t quite get there.”

Binskin said Craven’s early move was a gutsy one.

“It probably deserved to pay off,” he said.

“I don’t think my bloke could have beaten the other two, but he did his best.”

Watch the replay below:

Click here to view all race results from Menangle on Saturday night.