Thrilling trotting battle set to re-ignite

The next chapter of enchanting harness racing encounter between squaregaiter juggernauts, Just Believe (Orlando Vici) and Callmethebreeze (Trixton) is set to re-ignite on Saturday night in the Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Melton Entertainment Park.

The raced name after the famous equine caller, who’s remarks have now entered the Australian sporting vernacular, is the setting of the next great battle between two of Australia’s most exciting squaregaiters.

Just Believe has the advantage over his French rival at a score of 3-1 with wins in New Zealand and Ballarat giving him the advantage over the 2024 Great Southern Star champion.

The Jess Tubbs-trained squaregaiter has continued a rich vein of form with a last start win in the Group 2 Ballarat Trotters Cup on September 5.

“Harry (Just Believe) came through Ballarat well and has been working super at home. He’s potentially got a big campaign ahead, so we wanted to be cautious about over racing him,” Tubbs said.

The Myrniong horsewoman has downplayed the rivalry with the newest stable acquisition to the Andy Gath stable.

“We don’t buy into rivalries. The conjecture can be fun if you’re not involved but ultimately all they do is turn half the crowd against you,” Tubbs said.

“We love our man, and we have a healthy respect for Callmethebreeze, but the moment you start focusing on beating one horse is the moment you become vulnerable to others.

“It’s a terrific assembly of trotters and we’re looking forward to it.”

Just Believe has drawn four for the 1720m trip but could come into three if emergency One Over All fails to gain a start.

“Rapt with the draw on Saturday night,” she said.

Regular driver Greg Sugars is once again set to team up with the winner of 35 races from 79 starts, while Kate Gath will pilot Callmethebreeze

The Northern Hemisphere-import has drawn outside the back row in 10.

Tubbs’ trotter has opened as a hot favourite opening at $1.30 from Gath’s squaregaiter at $3.80.

The two Brent Lilley voyagers Queen Elida and Aldebaran Zeus have drawn nine and three respectively.

The Group 1 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint is set to go at 8.04pm.

The October 12 meeting which will showcase six Group 1’s be shown on Sky Racing, with a special free-to-air broadcast on Racing.com’s channels 68 and 78.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria