Just Believe readies for Sweden with classy trial

A big victory against quality harness racing opposition in a slick last half was how Just Believe (Orlando Vici) went about his last public appearance here in Victoria before next week’s marathon trip to Sweden for the Elitloppet.

It may have only been at the Melton trials, but it was a professional and promising display from the reigning Inter Dominion and Great Southern Star champion who led easily and zipped home his final 800m in 55.19sec to beat Anton Golino-trained rival Courmayeur by 14.5m.

With Greg Sugars sidelined by a shoulder injury sustained at morning trackwork on Monday, Bailey McDonough served as reinsman and was “stoked” with the performance.

“It was pretty windy out there today, so I just let him roll through that first 800m pretty casually but after that he stepped it up and he probably needed to be urged a little bit with no horses coming at him, but he was still strong to the line,” McDonough said.

“He felt like he could have run another lap at that speed…”

While the spotlight was on Just Believe, the first question on everyone’s lips at Melton was about Sugars’ fitness and the champion reinsman gave a positive outlook on his condition.

“I’ve just aggravated an old injury so it’s just a little bit inflamed, but a day or two and hopefully we will be back on track,” he said.

Sugars was pleased with what he saw from Just Believe in Tuesday’s trial.

“He looked sharp,” Sugars said.

“Ideally, I would have loved to have had the (cancelled Vulcan Trotters Free For All) race last Saturday night. Trials are good, but there’s nothing like race fitness.

“We are still a few weeks out from the race so that looked like a pretty sharp hit-out, especially over the last half. And as long as Bailey’s happy with the way he trotted, he looks like he’s pulled up well straight off the track.

“We’re on track, so we’ve just got to get him there now.”

Just Believe is booked to fly out from Australia on May 16, with the Elitloppet scheduled for May 28 at Solvalla in Stockholm.

WATCH JUST BELIEVE’S MELTON TRIAL BELOW:

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria