The racing was put on hold at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday night, as the harness racing community mourned the sudden death of local legend Greg Sugars.
Sugars, who lived in Myrniong, and called the Melton track home, died while he was in New South Wales for a meet.
“With an absolutely shattered heart that doesn’t want to believe it’s possibly true, I need to share the news that Greg passed away in his sleep last [Friday] night,” said the social media page of Larajay Farm, which Sugars ran with his wife Jess Tubbs.
“He had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday, with none of us possibly predicting this was in our future. His beloved son Harvey doesn’t yet understand that dad won’t be home to take him to Puppy School Graduation on Tuesday. We are heartbroken and very much still processing everything so some time and space will be appreciated.”
Harness Racing Victoria said on social media that it extended its deepest condolences to the Sugars family, Jess Tubbs, and all fellow participants following the heartbreaking news of Greg Sugars’ passing.
Out of respect for Sugars and his family, Saturday’s meeting at Melton Entertainment Park has been abandoned.
Sugars recently joined rare company as he steered his 4000th Australian winner.
He joined the likes of Chris Alford, the late Gavin Lang, Kerryn Manning and John Caldow to have surpassed the milestone figure in his adopted state.
With more than 60 Group 1 wins beside his name, Sugars admitted at the time he has enjoyed his share of celebratory moments in his chosen profession.
“The unbelievable ride with Just Believe and his Inter Dominion wins have been a highlight, along with Sushi Sushi’s win in the Great Northern Derby and Better Eclipse’s win in the Chariots Of Fire,” he said.
