‘I've got to be there for Jess': Herbertson returns from US
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Australia's premier driver James Herbertson is jetting back from a working holiday in the US to honour his idol, Greg Sugars.
Herbertson is due back in Melbourne tomorrow (Thursday) and revealed he would drive in the race named in Sugars' honour, the Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All, at Melton on Saturday night.
The harness racing world has been in mourning since Sugars, aged just 40, died in his sleep last Friday night.
To Herbertson, Sugars was a mate, a mentor, a father-figure and an idol.
'To be honest, I'm not in the right headspace to stay here (the US),' Herbertson said. 'I'm back tomorrow morning and don't know for how long. I'll just see how I feel.
'I've got to be there for Jess (Tubbs, Sugars' wife).'
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Tubbs trains three of the nine runners – Triple Eight, Rocknroll Hammer and Better Eclipse – in Saturday's night's Vale Greg Sugars Free-For-All.
They will be driven by Herbertson, Kerryn Manning and Craig Demmler.
Tubbs called Herbertson to tell him about Sugars' death in the early hours of Saturday morning US time.
'I didn't think Jess would be able to function, but she is just so strong … I still thought, this can't be happening,' Herbertson said.
'When I say Greg was like another parent to me, I mean it. He took me under his wing and made me into the driver I am today.
'He was one of the very best as a driver, a trainer and a human being.'
• 'Wonderful person': Industry giants pay respect to Greg Sugars
The day before Sugars' passing, Herbertson drove his first winner at the iconic Meadowlands track in New Jersey and was wondering why the congratulatory text he most wanted hadn't arrived after the race.
'I was on the way back to the winner's circle and thinking about Greg's winning drive in the States when he was young and wondering whether the photos would be similar,' Herbertson said.
'I just hoped he (Greg) had seen it.
'I was waiting for a message from him after the race, only to find out a few hours later he was gone.
'I swear he pushed it over the line for me as the last thing he could for me before he took his last final breath.
'Greg was my idol. My best mate. The man I went to whenever I needed help with my life, racing and everything in between.'
At Melton on Saturday, drivers will wear black armbands in all races.
Additionally, a reflection ceremony and minute's silence will be held at 7.05pm.
Sugars drove over 4000 winners, including 71 at Group 1 level.
No date has yet been set for his memorial service and funeral.
• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
Originally published as 'I've got to be there for Jess': Premier driver James Herbertson returns from US to honour memory of Greg Sugars
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