Tracy the Jet after winning The Ascent Photo by hrnz
THE emotion-charged win of Tracy The Jet stole the show on another amazing day for the Aussies at the iconic NZ Cup Week.
It was an Australian-trained romp across the week, winning six of the seven feature races they contested, including four of five today (Friday).
Champion pacer Leap To Fame bounced-back for his brave second in Tuesday’s NZ Cup to become just the third Australian-trained pacer to win the Group 1 NZ Pacing free-for-all today.
Gifted Queenslander Gus added the Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all today to his sparkling win in Tuesday’s Group 1 Dominion Trot.
And young trotting stars Tracy The Jet and Kyvalley Ray did their bit winning the $NZ500,000 Ascent and Group 1 Sires’ Stake final respectively.
But it was Tracy The Jet’s dominant display, layered in tears of emotion, which will be remembered most.
Seven months after losing her husband, champion driver Greg Sugars, and 12 months after sharing one of their greatest moments together at Addington, Victorian trainer Jess Tubbs returned to the same track to win with Tracy The Jet.
“It’s been a really hard and emotional week, bringing back so many memories,” she said. “To get to the race and get that win today for Greg is really special. I’m so proud.
Tubbs made a beeline for close friend and massive supporter James Herbertson, who drove the filly.
Herbertson, who openly called Sugars his idol and mentor, fought back tears as he spoke in the moments after the race.
“I think he (Sugars) would’ve been pretty happy with that one, the great man. When you’re able to win races like this for Jess (Tubbs) after the year she’s had, it puts a big smile on your face.
“For me it’s pretty crazy, but I’m just so happy to win it for Jess. She lost her best friend this year and it means the world to win it for her.”
Tracy The Jet followed another brilliant Aussie, Keayang Zahara, who romped home in last year’s inaugural Ascent.
Adding to the Australian dominance, another classy Victorian filly Gatesys Gem ran second to make it a quinella in The Ascent.
Leap To Fame found himself again in the spotlight after being outgunned by emerging Aussie star Kingman in Tuesday’s Cup.
But, as he has done so many times, he reminded everyone of his greatness by delivering again for his 59th win from just 75 starts.
“He certainly felt the run on Tuesday, so I wanted to drive him to make it more of a sprint home today and he found plenty when the other horse (Republican Party) came at him,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said.
“I was thrilled with his run in the Cup, Kingman’s run was just amazing, and it’s great to pick up this win before we head home.”
Leap To Fame’s next major target will be the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at his home track, Albion Park, on December 6.
Plans are in limbo with fellow Queenslander Gus after his epic NZ Cup Week double.
“I’m still shaking my head. What a week,” driver Pete McMullen said. “We just want to get him home, savour this and then weigh-up everything.”
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
PHOTOS: HRNZ/Race Images
