Commanding win reignites TAB Eureka dream

Jess Tubbs is daring to dream again.

For all the big races in the offing for the untapped Fighter Command, Tubbs and husband Greg Sugars feel some unfinished business with the world’s richest race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka.

But just to even be thinking about that is a monumental step for the powerhouse training couple.

It was just over seven months ago when Fighter Command was preparing for the TAB Eureka as a three-year-old and THE X factor of the race.

Then he was struck down with a twisted bowel and the fight became about just surviving.

“We thought we were going to lose him, it really was touch and go,” Sugars said.

Imagine the joy and satisfaction when, having just his third run on the comeback trail, Fighter Command won easily with a real stamp of class and arrogance at Melton last night (Saturday).

“That’s so good,” Sugars said. “Even when he pulled through (the twisted bowel), we didn’t know if he’d race again and if he did, what level he would come back.

“But, judging by tonight, the early signs are very good.”

Fighter Command drew the back row and Sugars made an early move to sit parked and control the race.

“When the lead time was steady, I decided to move even though I wasn’t sure that was the best way to drive him at this stage, but once he got there he felt great and was always in control.”

Fighter Command cruised home to win by 3.7m in a 1min55sec mile rate for 2240m.

His closing splits were the mouth-watering part. Home the last half in 55.3 and 26.7sec.

Just as importantly, Fighter Command raced tractably and gained some more valuable ringcraft.

“These runs are important for him. He’s still got to learn what it’s all about,” Tubbs said.

“We haven’t got any immediate big plans, but we’d love to go back and try to win the Beautide again so we can have another crack at the TAB Eureka.”

The Beautide is the qualifying race Tasracing uses to select the runner for its slot in the TAB Eureka.

Fighter Command is eligible being Tasmanian-bred and largely Tasmanian-owned.

The four-year-old gelding’s latest win was his 10th from just 15 starts.

Fighter Command reignites TAB Eureka dream