Harry hammers them in Lyell Creek Stakes

Harness racing’s globetrotting superstar, Just Believe (Orlando Vici) kept his perfect New Zealand record intact with a dominant performance in the Group Two $60,000 Lyell Creek Stakes at Alexandra Park this evening.

The Jess Tubbs trained eight-year-old easily accounted for his six kiwi rivals with regular pilot Greg Sugars guiding the trotting powerhouse to become the first Australian winner of the G2 feature in it’s 50 year history.

It was a far cry from the stirring battle a fortnight earlier where Just believe was forced to call on all of his champion qualities to claim the inaugural Tab Trot at Cambridge, however the performance was none the less impressive given it was the son of Orlando Vici’s first start right handed under testing showery conditions.

The now $1.5million earner rose to the occasion by trotting the bends like a seasoned pro, even surprising his regular pilot with the consummate ease in his handling of his first look at the ‘ribbon of light’.

“I had slight reservations about going right handed given it was his first time under race conditions but he handles it like the real professional that he is,” said Sugars.

‘The Cadyman’ Sugars moseyed off the mobile from the 2200m dispatch content to let race rival and second favourite Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) find the top before tipping around to wrestle the lead from him with a lap left to run.

With the only real danger on his back, Sugars was able to dictate a sedate tempo before ripping home with a final half run in 57.4, with the lightning quick ‘Oscar’ unable to make any impression in the run home finishing two and a quarter lengths in behind the champion Australian trotter.

JUST BELIEVE REPLAY

“He won pretty comfortable,” said Sugars.

“He is a fast horse as well as being tough and I know how quick Oscar Bonavena and I thought we would have a good race up the straight, but the way I cornered that final bend he was travelling that well that I knew it was in our keeping.

“We obviously go around next week so he wont have a very solid week coming, we will just keep him ticking along nicely with a couple of solid hit outs before the big race,” he said.

Just Believe will get a bit more of a stern test in next week’s G1 National Trot with the Greg and Nina Hope trained Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) opting to take the extra week in anticipation of his rematch with the Australian star.

Trotting fans will be hoping for an improved performance from New Zealand’s best square gaiter after an underwhelming finish in the $600,000 TAB Trot which was dictated by those on the speed and drawn more handily. Should Muscle Mountain find a front row draw, he may well get his chance to show his true worth but even that may not be enough to turn the tide on the second highest earning figure in Australasian trotting history.

For complete Alexandra Park results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink