RISING star Better Eclipse will have overcome a tricky draw to join some of harness racing greats by completing the Sunshine Sprint-Blacks A Fake double at Albion Park on Saturday.
Six pacers have won Queensland’s two biggest open-class races in the same year since 2002, including pacing icons Blacks A Fake (2007), Im Themightyquinn (2014), Sokyola (2003) and Double Identity (2002).
The most recent to do it was the explosive but injury-plagued Hectorjayjay in 2017.
Greg Sugars, who drove with supreme confidence to win last week’s Group 1 Sunshine Sprint, concedes the draw (barrier eight, inside the back row) is not ideal.
“It’s tricky, but it could’ve been worse. I’d rather he be on the inside where he is than outside the front or back row,” he said.
“Obviously he's going to need a bit of luck, but you always need that in big races anyway.”
Interestingly, Sugars has opted to drive stablemate Triple Eight from barrier one with champion Victorian driver Chris Alford aboard Better Eclipse.
Sugars believes the extra lap of this week’s race will both suit Better Eclipse and help negate the awkward barrier.
“Both our horses (Triple Eight is the other) will love the long trip,” he said.
“In Better Eclipse’s case, the extra distance helps his chances of some gaps appearing when he need them.”
Sugars returned to Victoria this week with his wife and training partner, Jess Tubbs, taking charge of their select team in Queensland.
“Jess is happy so I’m happy,” Sugars said. “The horses settled in really well as soon as they got there, they’ve performed well both nights so far and Jess said they’ve all had another good week.”
Better Eclipse has been a revelation since his upset win in the Chariots Of Fire in February.
The four-year-old is a veteran of just 29 starts, but already boasts two Group 1 wins and a Miracle Mile placing.
Sugars warned not to discount stablemate Triple Eight.
“I doubt he’ll be able to hold them out, but he did lead a Miracle Mile qualifier and has the speed to hold a position,” he said.
“He’s drawn to get a soft run and that’s when he’s most dangerous.”