Tantalizing clash awaits in the Great Southern Star

Brilliant heat wins from champion Just Believe (Orlando Vici) and star French trotter Callmethebreeze (Trixton) have set up a mouthwatering Great Southern Star Final later tonight at Melton. 

The Anton Golino trained Callmethebreeze made a statement in the first heat with a stunning all the way win after spearing to the lead from his mid-front row draw. 

Callmethebreeze completely outclassed his rivals clearing out in the home straight to score by 20 metres in a slick mile rate of 1:53.4. 

Golino is heading into the Final with a degree of confidence following the heat. 

“It’s a bit of a relief because we know how good he is but for him to have come out and perform like he did is pleasing,” Golino said. 

Golino said having two runs in a night won’t be an issue for Callmethebreeze. 

“He has done it before back home in Europe, he’s a pretty sensible horse and pretty easy on himself so I can’t see that being a problem,” he said. 

Half an hour later Just Believe made light of his awkward inside second row draw when he chalked up his eighth consecutive win in the second heat of the Great Southern Star. 

Just Believe’s legion of fans couldn’t believe their luck when the Jess Tubbs trained star got out to start at the backable odds of $1.70. 

Greg Sugars eased off the pegs on Just Believe with 800 metres to travel and then proceeded to serve it up to the leader Queen Elida before forging to the lead around the home turn and holding off Arcee Phoenix in the run to the line. 

Sugars said the race held less issues than expected after two galloping runners cleared a pathway away from the pegs for Just Believe. 

“It worked out really good as we didn’t have to spend any petrol early and then ran a really good half and that run would have tightened him up nicely for the final,” Sugars said. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink