BRILLIANT young trotting mare Keayang Zahara stretched her unbeaten record to 15 starts when she carried the silks of the late Greg Sugars on one of the most emotion-charged nights Australian harness racing has seen.
The four-year-old, first-up since December 6 last year, did all of the work outside multiple Group 1 winner Im Ready Jet and lifted when it mattered to win by a head at Melton.
As her driver Glen Craven returned to the winner’s circle, it signalled the start of a beautiful and deeply emotional on-course tribute to Sugars.
A video capturing just a small snapshot of his Sugars’ stellar career played as all drivers competing last night gathered on the track in front of the winning post.
A podium with a set of Sugars’ driving colours, some trophies and other personal items became the centrepiece of a guard of honour from drivers.
Emotions overflowed when Sugars’ wife, Jess Tubbs, joined the drivers on the track for a minute’s silence.
After the tribute, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All was run and Tubbs had three of the eight runners for the Larajay stables she built into such a huge success with Sugars,
Hopes of a fairytale win sat with the Tubbs-trained favourite Rocknroll Hammer, driven by one of Sugars’ closest friends, James Herbertson, who had jetted back from a working holiday in the US to be at the tribute meeting.
But the fairytale wasn’t to be.
Rocknroll Hammer led, but the Kate Gath-driven Tango Tara came off Rocknroll Hammer’s back to run him down late and win.
“I’m a really competitive person, but that’s one race I really struggled with going past the leader,” Gath said.
Earlier in the night, Gath spoke beautifully about Sugars after winning on Pinnie in race one.
“I think we’re all still numb and in shock. I just can’t stop thinking about Jess and Greg’s family,” she said.
Fighting back tears, Gath added: “It’s such a privilege tonight to come here and pay tribute to Greg, the talent and legend that he was. He was so gifted.”
Gath praised Melton officials and HRV for making red, green and white ribbons to put in the manes of all horses racing on the night.
“What a beautiful touch,” she said.
Tubbs spoke of how hard it was being trackside just a week after Sugars’ passing in his sleep.
“We didn’t get a winner tonight, but we showed up. We showed up when we didn’t want to, when it would have been easier to stay home,” she wrote on Instagram.
“We showed up all week, every morning, every race meeting. We showed up for Greg.
“Greg and I often spoke about Team Larajay and our Larajay Family and I can say I’ve never been more proud of our team than I am right now. Love you guys.”
Sugars, just 40, boasted a Hall of Fame record with over 4000 wins and 71 at Group 1 level.
Tubbs confirmed Sugars' full memorial service would be held at Melton at midday on Monday, May 12.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
