Bailey McDonough says the nerves are yet to kick in but expects they will as he gets closer to arguably the biggest drive of his career on Saturday night.
With regular reinsman Greg Sugars committed to partnering stable stars Triple Eight and Better Eclipse at Menangle on the weekend, the 25-year-old McDonough has been booked to partner the country’s hottest squaregaiter in the Group 1 Australian Trotting Grand Prix at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Teaming up with Just Believe is an amazing opportunity for McDonough, who has six placings from 19 drives at the elite level but is yet to crack it for a win.
“I’m sure the nerves will kick in race day, but for now I’m more excited than anything,” McDonough said.
McDonough has spent time with Emma Stewart and David Aiken since moving from Western Australia in July of 2021, and has been working for Just Believe’s trainers Jess Tubbs and Sugars for close to a year.
“I’ve obviously had the pleasure of driving Just Believe before in trackwork and I gave him a hit-out on Saturday,” McDonough said. “Greg leaves (for New South Wales) tomorrow, so I’ll be doing the rest with him until race day.
“Obviously you’ve got that comfort in knowing that he’s very versatile and the draw’s not too much of a worry.”
Just Believe is out to wrap-up victory in the lucrative Aurora Australis when he competes on Saturday night.
The last-start Great Southern Star champion sits eight points clear at the top of the series leaderboard, with the Grand Prix being the eighth and final leg of the championship.
He’s clear of Plymouth Chubb, Im Ready Jet, Majestic Man and Aldebaran Zeus, with that quartet all on 16 and unable to do any better than tie with Just Believe on points.
Eight points are received for a win in a leg of the Aurora Australis, with five for second, three for third, two for fourth and one for fifth.
The owners of the horse that tops the leaderboard at the end of the two-month series receive a $50,000 bonus.
The barrier draw for Saturday night’s Grand Prix will be completed tomorrow, with final fields available around 11.30am.
The Grand Prix is one of the feature races on Saturday’s card, an all-trotting meeting that incorporates the annual WomenCan and Team Teal “Night at the Trots” function.