Trots Centre: Vic Cup the one that I want, says Jess Tubbs

No matter their stature in the trots, every trainer, driver, owner and breeder has a race they’d love to win.

For some, it’s their local country cup; for others it might be an Inter Dominion.

In Jess Tubbs’ case, the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup sits at the top of her list for one very special reason.

Her late father, Alan, a preparer of more than 700 winners, won the Grand Circuit classic in 2008 with the mighty Melpark Major, who had Tubbs’ sister, Amy, in the sulky.

Fast-forward 13 years and Tubbs will chase success in the same race as trainer of one of the serious fancies, Triple Eight, who will be driven by her husband and top reinsman Greg Sugars.

“(Melpark Major) was just an incredible animal and the bond that he, Dad and Amy had was just amazing,” Tubbs said.

“Those are the examples you look back at now and you take so much. I’ve learnt so much from all those guys and Greg from his family too.

“The Vic Cup is a really special one that I would love to win – the Vic Cup and a Vicbred (final) are the two for me.

“Vic Cup night, at Moonee Valley, I remember where I was sitting. (Owners) Don and Bev Smith were sitting next to us in the committee room and out in the grandstand, and Bev was so excited that she was shaking and we had to settle her before we could get her downstairs to the presentation.

“It was just the most incredible moment. Those are the things that stick in your mind and the things that get you up in the morning because they place you in that time and you remember who you were with and you remember just how impressive the horses were.

“That’s not to knock a maiden race somewhere – they can be just as thrilling as well – but obviously we all look up to those Grand Circuit races as something to be aspired to.”

Triple Eight is in his second Australian preparation since joining Tubbs’ Myrniong stable early this year and has thrived so far this campaign.

He is already a Group 1 winner this time in work thanks to a barnstorming finale in the VHRC Caduceus Classic last month, and heads into tonight’s race on the back of an eye-catching fourth in the Kilmore Pacing Cup.

The former New Zealander is one of three horses from Tubbs’ barn who will line up Group 1s tonight, with three-year-olds Momentslikethese and Better Eclipse to tackle the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Oaks and Lather Up Victoria Derby respectively.