“This is something special”

Jess Tubbs became just the third female trainer to win harness racing’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final.

The 35-year-old Victorian has had a breakout year winning six Group 1 races, with her Orlando Vici trotter Just Believe the latest to had his name to that record.

Driven by her husband Greg Sugars in the $250,000 Grand Circuit feature at Melton on Saturday night (Dec. 10), Just Believe dictated the tempo from outside the leader in the 2760m Grand Final.

Just Believe went through the series of three heats and a final unbeaten.

“He’s a little bit of a fatty to the series did him well,” said Tubbs.

“This is going to be a replay we watch a lot that’s for sure.”

This was Tubbs’ 360^th training win.

Tubbs has rose to prominence in the training ranks the last few seasons after taking out her trainer’s licence in the 2017/18 season, the same year her dad Alan Tubbs, an iconic horseman, passed away.

“I did have a little look to the sky and said to Dad give us some support tonight Dad,” said Tubbs.

For Tubbs’ husband Sugars, this was his 54^th Group 1 win.

With Mufasa Metro finding the lead before handing it over to Majestuoso, Sugars made an early move to put Just Believe outside the leader while the pace was moderate.

The last two quarters were then zipped home in 28.8 and 27.4 seconds seeing Just Believe beat the leader by a half-neck with the race favourite Queen Elida third.

The mile rate was 1:59.1.

JUST BELIEVE REPLAY

“I just love this horse,” said Sugars.

“He just tries so hard and this is something special.

“Some people thought he wasn’t that impressive in the heats because he led in all of them and he proved he is not a one trick pony.

“He is a great addition to our stable and the big bunch of owners will be over the moon.”

Sugars is the defending champion of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final having won last year’s edition with Maori Law at Menangle.

For complete results and race replays, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink