Triple Eight - "a winning chance"

By Adam Hamilton

Superstar driver Greg Sugars insists former classy Kiwi pacer Triple Eight can win this Inter Dominion final at Menangle on Saturday night.

But he knows he will need quite a few things to fall into place.

“He’s a winning chance, yes, for sure,” he said. “But his chances will hinge on what a few others do in the race because I won’t be up there dictating the terms, I need others to do that for me.

“I think he’s flying. He might not have won a heat, but his three runs have been excellent. Twice he broke track records, but just found one better.

“Sure, King Of Swing and Expensive Ego have been fantastic, but the draw has opened up the race a bit, I think. Neither of them have drawn ideally.

“I’ll need a few other drivers to drive with confidence and aggression, especially if and when King Of Swing or Expensive Ego come around looking for the lead. I need the pace on, a genuinely run race and the last crack at them.

“The long trip will really suit us, but we will need the race truly run.”

Sugars, who has driven in six previous Inter Dominion finals and ran second aboard Flaming Flutter in the 2015 pacing final at Menangle, also takes the reins on rejuvenated trotter Maori Law in his final.

Maori Law has been superbly nursed back to peak form, health and fitness by Kiwi father-and-son team Richard and Emmett Brosnan.

“I’m thrilled to be driving him. He’s got a great chance,” Sugars said.

“He’s built through the heats really well and the draw has been pretty kind to us.

“I’ll be working forward to look for the lead. Majestic Man is the first leader, but the way Anthony (Butt, driver) is talking, he may want to take a sit.

“Tough Monarch is the other quick beginner drawn inside us, but he’s not racing at his best and may also be happy with a trail on a tough horse like Maori Law over the 3009m.

“But I don’t have to lead to be a winning hope. He’s tough and versatile. I’m just happy to have him at his top when it matters most and that’s a huge credit to Emmett and Richard.”

Victorian trainer Matty Craven declared his two trotting finalists Pink Galahs and former top young Kiwi trotter Lotamuscle “spot on” for the big dance.

“Couldn’t be happier,” he said. “Pink Galahs has the class and speed, so she’s our best chance, but Lotamuscle is flying. He’s a great stayer. He’ll follow any speed and still finish strongly. He’s got a chance, too.”

Craven is driving Pink Galahs with his partner, former Swede Sofia Arvidsson, aboard Lotamuscle.