Better than all the rest

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Better Eclipse added his name to one of Victorian harness racing’s great honour rolls with a narrow victory in the 2023 Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup.

After drawing in eight, the Jess Tubbs-Myrniong trained star sat behind leader Act Now throughout much of the 2690m trip and then ran past him in the home straight while holding off Beyond Delight to claim the time-honoured country cup feature by a half-head.

The son of Betterthancheddar joins a list that includes iconic pacers such as Popular Alm, Paleface Adios, Pure Steel and Lennytheshark while taking the crown away from last year’s champion Rock N Roll Doo, who sat back last from his wide front row barrier and could only manage sixth during a fast-run final lap.

“I’ve raced Act Now so many times and I’m not sure of the head-to-head record, but I don’t think I’ve ever had to come from behind him and actually ever run past him before. He always seems to kick back on me,” driver Greg Sugars said with a laugh.

“I knew I had a horse that was ready to go and travelling really good, but I sort of had that in the back of my mind… this horse is so hard to run past on most occasions, so I was hoping tonight that wouldn’t be the case.”

Better Eclipse is on a path towards the 2023 Inter Dominion Pacing Championships in Queensland during December and secures a golden ticket into that series as a result of his Kilmore Pacing Cup win.

“He’s exceeded our expectations already with what he’s done,” Sugars said.

“I never sort of thought he was a horse that would compete at the absolute high level, but he’s well and truly earned his place there now and we’re so proud of him.”

Sugars’ win followed that of his father Ross, who trained and drove Popular Port to victory in the 1987 Kilmore Pacing Cup. Sugars also scored behind Michael Stanley-prepared Soho Tribeca in 2018.