Just Believe has to overcome wide barrier draw

Aussie trotter Just Believe’s (Orlando Vici) hopes in the world’s biggest harness racing trotting race have been dealt a blow with a wide barrier draw.

The Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars-trained Inter Dominion hero will start second from the outside (gate seven) in the second of the two Elitloppet heats at Solvalla in Sweden at 11.55pm Sunday night (Melbourne time).

The one silver lining is Just Believe looks to have drawn the easier of the two heats.

“You’ve got to look for positives and although there are some nice horses through the whole series, two of the very best look to be in the first heat, so that’s a good thing,” Sugars said from Stockholm.

Sugars said pre-draw he hoped for gate four or better.

“Yes, the draw isn’t ideal. We obviously wanted something closer to the inside, but we’re just very happy to be here,” he said.

“I’ve still got to go through all the replays of the rivals, especially their recent runs, but I think I’ve just got to put him right up on the gate (at the start) and get out as best we can to try and not give away too much of a head start.

“Luck in running was always going to play a big part, but it’s going to be even more important now.”

Sugars will at least have one familiar face in the heat with former superstar Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn, now starring in the US, partnering Stoletheshow from gate three.

“I was thrilled to hear ‘Dex’ is coming across. It’ll be great to catch-up with him,” Sugars said.

The wide barrier is the only negative so far on the trip for Just Believe, who has settled-in superbly at the stables of Hall of Fame horseman Stig H Johansson, just outside Stockholm, after a daunting 60-hour trip across from Melbourne.

“The trip was every bit as hard as we expected, but thankfully the horse handled it better than me,” Sugars said.

“He seems relaxed, happy and comfortable … it’s all going as well as possible with him at this stage.

“To my eye, he hasn’t lost any condition. I’m very happy with him.”

Sugars gave Just Believe a light jog on Saturday and hasn’t done a lot more since.

“It was really just to give him a stretch-out after the long trip. It was a walk and a light job through the forest here. Since then, he’s had a few slightly stronger hitouts on Stig’s straight track here,” he said.

“Tuesday is the big day. We’re taking him into Solvalla where we will put the race bike (sulky) on him and give him a serious workout.

“We’re here now, all settled in and it’s all very real. It’s so exciting to be part of it and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia