Greg Sugars' win in the 2022 Chariots of Fire

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she's (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column.

My favourite Candyman moment

By Brittany Graham 
 
In a week that continues to feel unbelievable for all the wrong reasons, there was no other subject to discuss than that of Greg Sugars.

The harness racing world was shattered on Saturday evening when the shocking news of the passing of Greg Sugars became apparent.

Whether you knew of Greg through his deeds on the track, was lucky enough to meet the man, or were privileged enough to call him a friend, this news has hit hard.

It’s been a sad and heavy few days, however the joy of G Sugars has poked through on many occasions when discussing the good times.

I have known Greg for many years, but since moving into the media was fortunate enough to converse with him on many occasions due to his incredible success. Whether he was about to partner Just Believe before an Inter Dominion, or I needed someone to speak to at the last minute (and he never said no, so was always the go to!), Greg was always willing.

With over 70 Group Ones to his name, it was difficult to pick just one as a favourite for me.  

On reflection, the 2022 Chariots Of Fire is far more special now than it even was at the time.

Greg and Jess (Tubbs) had prepared their first Group 1 winner, Moments Like These, to win the Queensland Oaks of 2021. They were relatively new in their training careers.

Unfortunately, it was during COVID so it was up to the great Luke McCarthy to get the job done and Greg and Jess were forced to watch from Victoria. It would have been a whirlwind of emotions, but I am positive they’d wish their first elite success had gone a little differently – together.  

Fast forward only seven months it's the Chariots Of Fire and Better Eclipse is storming down the outside. It would have made the disappointment of Queensland seem a distant memory. It was a textbook Sugars drive – cool, calm and collected while pulling the right rein, at the right time.

What happened after the race though was a rare show of emotion from ‘The Candyman’. I could see him struggling to contain it as he walked towards me, and then the man who always knew the right things to say was speechless. 

He and his wife Jess were there together on track, and they had done it. Beaten the odds in one of Australia’s most prestigious races less than 12 months after the horse had joined their stable as a maiden.

His smile and joy that night will stick with me forever – that is how I will remember Greg Sugars.