Just Believe to warm up for Sweden

The countdown to a rare Swedish harness racing raid starts this week for Australia’s champion trotter Just Believe (Orlando Vici).

Trainer Jess Tubbs said the Inter Dominion and Great Southern Star winner would return from a freshen-up with a Melton trial on Wednesday.

“All going well, he’ll then run at Melton (in the Vulcan free-for-all) on Saturday week,” she said.

It will be Just Believe’s first run since finishing second in the Group 1 Hammerhead at Menangle on March 4.

“He hasn’t been out for a break, more so just ticking along at home while we worked through whether Sweden was a goer or not,” Tubbs said.

“It’s time to wind him up again now.”

Just Believe will become only the third Australian-trained trotter to contest the famed Elitloppet in Stockholm, Sweden on May 28.

To get there, he faces a daunting 60-hour trip on a plane, boat and by road through Singapore, Amsterdam and Denmark.

“He’s tentatively booked to fly out on May 16, but we’re waiting on IRT (transport) to confirm that,” Tubbs said.

“If the trial and race we have planned go well, that’s all he’ll have before he heads across.”

It’s been a chaotic time for Tubbs and husband, Greg Sugars, with a big team home and Sugars campaign Better Eclipse and Triple Eight in feature races in New Zealand.

“Greg’s still there, but coming home after the Messenger (in Auckland) on Friday night,” Tubbs said.

“It’ll only be Better Eclipse racing this week. Triple Eight had a breathing issue and he’s gone for a spell.

“We’ve been thrilled with Better Eclipse’s two runs in NZ and this week’s race looks suitable, too.”

Sugars won’t have long at their Myrniong property near Ballarat before departing for Stockholm.

“It’ll be here in no time,” Tubbs said. “And he’s got a trip to Sydney for the NSW Trotters’ Oaks with a couple of out fillies to squeeze in as well. That’s on Saturday week.

“It’s all been a bit chaotic, but that’s what we’re in the game for. The Elitlopp is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities.

“Greg will go across to meet Just Believe when he gets to Stockholm and I’ll just go across for a couple of days around the Elitlopp itself.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia