No farewell start for Just Believe

Just Believe (Orlando Vici) will fly out of Australia bound for Sweden on May 16, but will have to tackle the world famous harness racing Elitloppet without the benefit of a recent lead-up run.

Sadly for connections, this Saturday night’s Vulcan Trotters Free For All failed to get enough nominations and was cancelled from the Melton card, meaning the Jess Tubbs-trained trotter will tackle the May 28 feature first-up from his last appearance in the Hammerhead Trotters Mile at Menangle on March 4.

Tubbs told thetrots.com.au that there were no other suitable races for Just Believe before his departure date.

“If (husband and driver) Greg (Sugars) feels like he needs another run, we’ve always got the trials up our sleeve,” Tubbs said.

“He’s fit and well and feeling really good, so we will just make sure we look after him now and get him there safe and sound because it’s going to be a huge trip for him.

“It’s that balance between keeping him race-fit, but also having that little bit of extra condition on him just to make sure he’s not too knocked around by the trip.”

Just Believe impressed with a second placing at the Melton trials on April 26 when he finished second to pacer Melanion in a 55.86sec last half.

The Yabby Dam Farms-bred Just Believe has won 18 of 57 career starts, with his most recent triumphs including December’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship and February’s Great Southern Star Final.

He will become just the third Australian-trained trotter to start in the Elitloppet at Solvalla on May 28.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria