Fighter Command’s Redemption Run: Tubbs Eyes Beautide Before Eureka Dreams

JESS Tubbs isn’t getting too far ahead of herself with leading TAB Eureka contender Fighter Command.

And that’s very understandable given the disappointment of last year.

Fighter Command brilliantly won The Beautide – the Tasracing qualifier for a TAB Eureka slot – but a life-threatening bout of colic forced him out of the world’s richest harness races just days before it.

Now the big, and still somewhat raw pacer, is back and building towards his peak at the right time.

Fighter Command has had six well-spaced runs on the comeback trail for two wins, a third and two fourths.

There was lots to like about his latest third in strong company at Melton on June 21.

And Fighter Command steps out again at Melton this Saturday night.

“I’m really happy with him,” Tubbs said. “It’s all about The Beautide again, so we’re just picking and choosing our races between now and then.”

The $80,000 Beautide will be run in Hobart on August 2.

Like last year, the winner will secure Tasracing’s slot in the TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 6.

“Yes, there’s certainly unfinished business in the Eureka, but I’m not looking beyond step one at this stage and that’s winning the Beautide,” Tubbs said.

“If he does that, then hopefully everything goes right from there.”

It’s a busy phase for Tubbs with two other stable stars, Better Eclipse and Rakero Rebel, tackling the Inter Dominion starting this week in Brisbane, a big team at home and the Tasmanian trip looming with Fighter Command.

Fighter Command is a clear $5 second favourite in latest TAB Eureka markets.

Fighter Command & Greg Sugars winning The Beautide, in 2024 -  PHOTO: Eliza Howlett