Top Victorian trainer Jess Tubbs is frustrated her two Brisbane Inter Dominion hopefuls Better Eclipse and Rakero Rebel have to clash in Saturday night’s opening round heats at Albion Park.

Rules vary across major races and different states, but often there are “stable splits” in feature events.

Tubbs, another top Victorian trainer Andy Gath and prominent Queensland trainer Shannon Price all have stable clashes in the first of the three pacing heats on Saturday night.

Gath, who has three pacers in the series, has his two key pacing hopes Tango Tara and Catch Wave against each other.

Like Tubbs, Price only has two pacers in the series – Sure Thing Captain and Speak The Truth – and they lock horns on night one.

“It’s frustrating. It’s a long way to go to the other end of the country and then have to find a second driver and even a spare sulky when the only two horses you’ve got up there have to clash,” Tubbs said.

“The fact there are only two (not three) rounds of heats adds to the frustration.

“I’m annoyed, but I’d be a lot more annoyed if they hadn’t both drawn so well.”

Better Eclipse, who ran second to Leap To Fame in the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion final, has drawn gate one with Rakero Rebel right next door in two.

“They’re drawn to get good runs and have their chance,” Tubbs said.

Australia’s premier driver James Herbertson was to drive the pair through the series, but with the clash he will be aboard Rakero Rebel.

“I spoke to the owners of Better Eclipse and they wanted Josh Gallagher, so I’ve popped him on,” Tubbs said.

As expected, Gath’s wife, Kate, is down to drive their eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave (gate 11), with Robbie Morris on Tango Tara (eight).

Tubbs’ focus will be shared between Albion Park and Melton on Saturday night.

Her emerging star and stable sentimental favourite Fighter Command runs at Melton to continue his build-up towards the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka, at Menangle on September 6.

“I’m super happy with him. His last run was great and he’s building well,” Tubbs said.

“I like the fact he’s drawn for a good trailing run (gate eight, inside the back row) this week so he can keep building.

“It’s all about ticking him along until The Beautide in Hobart (August 2).

“He’ll have this run and one more to be at his top for Tassie.”

Just like he did last year. Fighter Command can secure the Tasracing slot in the TAB Eureka by winning the $80,000 Beautide.

But last year, the then three-year-old was struck-down with a life-threatening bout of colic just days before the TAB Eureka and missed the race.

“There’s certainly some unfinished business, but given what happened last year, we’re all just going one race at a time for the moment.

“Hopefully we get to the Beautide, get the job done there, and then start to focus on the Eureka.”

Such is the boom on Fighter Command, he is $5 second pre-post favourite behind another Victorian star Bay Of Biscay ($3.50) for the TAB Eureka.

  • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.