The team behind Triple Eight remains at a loss to explain exactly what went wrong at the back end of the New Zealand import’s last campaign, but is hopeful he will return to racing in style this Saturday night at Cranbourne.
The horse, who joined the Jess Tubbs stable ahead of his start in the Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 6, won a heat of the Tasmania Cup before putting in disappointing efforts in the final of that feature and then the Warragul Pacing Bowl Cup.
He was beaten more than 200m on both occasions before being sent for a spell.
Tubbs’ husband and regular driver Greg Sugars said it was hard to put a finger on why the son of American Ideal put in the below par performances.
“We never really found an underlying problem or a definitive answer as to what went wrong, but there was something amiss with him,” he said.
“He’s had a good break, worked back up and so far all seems well.”
>> READ MORE: Pacing Priest’s deep faith in Triple treat
Triple Eight, a winner of 13 races and more than $300,000 in stakes, took out a trial at Tabcorp Park Melton late last month ahead of Saturday night’s Preux Chevalier Free For All, where he has drawn outside of the back row in barrier nine. He will clash with some seasoned rivals this weekend including Torrid Saint (Julie Douglas), Bettor Be The Bomb (Basil Dooley) and Malcolms Rhythm (David Aiken).
Father Brian Glasheen, who is known affectionately as the ‘Pacing Priest’ for his work done within the harness racing industry, holds a share in Triple Eight alongside some close friends.
The Cranbourne meeting continues the metropolitan tour away from Tabcorp Park Melton, with Bendigo’s Lord’s Raceway having hosted last Saturday night’s meeting.
Jason Bonnington will make the trip for the expansive Trots Vision coverage, with Luke Humphreys to call the nine-race card.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TUESDAY
Terang (night)
Brendan Delaney is set to guide you through the eight races in Terang, with the first to go at 5.37pm.
WEDNESDAY
Shepparton (night)
Luke Humphreys warms up for a big week in the caller’s box, with the first of his four meetings getting underway from 5.04pm.
THURSDAY
Kilmore (night)
David Abrahams will debut a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Fabrication on Thursday, with Seeyouinmydreams set to line up in the opening event on the card.
Fabrication won the Australasian Trotting Championship in 2018 and the Vicbred Super Series 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings division in 2015.
FRIDAY
Mildura (day)
There’s no Bernie Winkle in the Sunraysia this week, but the return of Luke Watson-trained Caulonia Terror is an exciting runner on the 11-race card.
The winner of nine races hasn’t competed since April, with his preparation coming to a close at the end of the Mildura Cup carnival.
Tabcorp Park Melton (night)
After a wet and wild night last Friday, racing returns to Victorian HQ for an 11-race meeting with Dan Mielicki to call all the action for the expanded Trots Vision coverage.
SATURDAY
Cranbourne (night)
The metropolitan circuit continues its little break away from Melton with a nine-race meeting at Cranbourne. Luke Humphreys gets the chance to call some big races, including the $24,000 Preux Chevalier Free For All for the fast class pacers.
After venturing to Bendigo last weekend, Jason Bonnington will again headline the wall-to-wall Trots Vision coverage.
SUNDAY
Shepparton (day)
Shepparton picks up its second meeting for the week, with Luke Humphreys again in the caller’s box.
MONDAY
Horsham (day)
Racing returns to Horsham for the first time since late May, with the ninth heat of the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship the feature. The $10,000 qualifier leads in to a $40,000 final at Melton on August 7.
