Emotional moment for Tubbs family as Shady Secret salutes in Ballarat

The tears flowed after SHADY SECRET saluted in Ballarat on Saturday night.

The classy four-year-old mare had the rare distinction of providing a trainer with a postumus victory.

ALAN TUBBS died earlier in the week at the all-too young age of 61 years.

Harness Racing Victoria gave permission for his horses to continue to race in his name until the weekend, with top-liner TEE CEE BEE MACRAY being his last runner when fifth in Sunday’s Maryborough Gold Cup.

It was a highly emotional moment for all involved on course at Bray Raceway, especially Tubbs’ daughter Jess, after Shady Secret crossed the line with ZAC PHILLIPS holding the reins.

Phillips expressed appreciation to the Tubbs family for being given the opportunity to take the drive in the absence of Shady Secret’s regular reinsman, Tubbs’ son-in-law Greg Sugars, who was in Hobart representing Victoria in the Australian drivers’ championship.

He also paid tribute to the work of Sugars in keeping Tubbs’ team going during a trying time for the family.

Shady Secret’s success also provided a special moment for the family of part-owner Brian Dobson, who died earlier in October.

Tubbs and Dobson had a long and successful association, particularly through the many wins by the horses from the “Macray” dynasty.

For Shady Secret ($4.10), it was an impressive performance first-up since finishing down the track in the Vicbred Super Series final in July.

She rated a slick 1:55.9 after running the last 400m in 26.5 in the Laser Electrical C2-C3 Pace, 1710m.

The daughter of Shadyshark Hanover has now won seven of 22 starts for $38,913 in stakes.