Just Believe in this Wonder from Down Under

Just Believe (Orlando Vici) has become just the third-ever Australian-born trotter in the history of harness racing to secure an invitation to the Elitloppet. Set to be contested on May 28 at Stockholm’s famed Sovalla Racetrack in Sweden, the Elitloppet is raced in two heat/final format.

Trainer Jess Tubbs, who along with her husband/driver Greg Sugars, have conditioned Just Believe for an ownership team that includes 27 members, reports that unlike a lot of horses, “Harry,” as he’s known in the barn, prefers being inside the barn, rather than outside.

“He’s not a horse that likes time out in the paddock,” Tubbs stated. “We’ve been keeping his work time light with a little break at home, and he’s hanging out in the stable.  We’ll be doing our best next month to represent Australia in the best way we can.”

Just Believe comes off a stellar season, having captured Australia’s top prize—the Interdominion in December, and more recently, the Great Southern Star Trot in February—both of which are contested in the same format, with heats and a final on the same day—as the Elitloppet. This seemingly indefatigable 7-year-old French-bred gelding won ten of 16 starts since being paired with Tubbs and Sugars last season, with five seconds and a third, earning $680,962 in Australian dollars.

Tubbs said she thinks “Harry” will handle the format just fine.

“He’s so professional; he’s got electric speed and he just doesn’t’ like to let horses get past him,” she offered. “He’s not always flashy but he gets the job done. It’s a little hard to measure up on the opposition now, but a lot will depend on the day, and the barrier draws.  We have no reason to doubt him, we’re confident in his ability, as he’s stepped up every time we’ve asked him to in the past 12 months.”

Just Believe has shown his versatility by winning from both standing and mobile starts, and through come-from-behind efforts as well as front-stepping ones.

“Obviously he’s such a safe trotter and if he gets himself in the right position, I don’t see why he won’t be able to go up against these top trotters,” Tubbs said. “There are a lot of things we’ll have to study up on before we go. The kilometer rates are different than our mile rates back here, for instance.”

Part of the excitement, Tubbs revealed, comes from the crowd, and overall aura of a race like the Elitloppe.

“The horses are just incredible to watch, they are the superstars,” she said. “The crowd is so significant there too, and we don’t have that here. The amount of people running through the grandstand, and the media swarming out onto to the track around the horses is all part of it. I can’t wait to be amongst it.”

Tubbs did say that she and Sugars might entertain other racing opportunities for Just Believe, after having made the 60-hour trip with their stable star.

“We’re not familiar with that part of the world so we’d be open to racing at other spots while we’re over there,” she admitted, but then added. “Come Elitloppet day, I’ll be glad to sit in the grandstand and have Greg in the sulky.”

And leaving a barn full of racehorses was not an easy decision for the couple either.

“It will be tricky as we have horses competing in NZ and those competing in Sydney at the time,” Tubbs admitted. “But I think this is something we will talk about forever. We won’t have this opportunity again and are grateful for it.”

After the 60-hour trip which literally is comprised of planes, boats, and horse vans, Just Believe will finally arrive at famed Swedish trainer Stig Johansson’s barn, where he will train and be housed at throughout his Elitloppet experience.

“He won’t know who Greg & I are, but we sure know who he is,” Tubbs laughed. “We are so thankful for being able to secure a place with him. We’re very appreciative.”

As well, the 27-person partnership that owns Just Believe will be well represented in Sweden.

“Fourteen of them have already booked (their flights to Sweden),” Tubbs said. “You can’t underestimate their enthusiasm for this horse. They just love him and travel around to watch him race. It’s not about the money, they are so proud of him and are always on the track to support him.”

Next up: One of Just Believe’s owners tells why it has been a great ride with this amazing trotter.

by Kimberly Rinker, for Harnesslink