Saturday, May 6 looks like it will be a chance for harness racing fans to farewell star trotter Just Believe before he embarks on an historic trip overseas.
Greg Sugars told thetrots.com.au that it was likely his multiple Group 1-winning squaregaiter would start in the Vulcan Trotters Free For All at Melton before commencing his journey to Sweden for the $1.8mil Elitloppet.
Last month, Just Believe was invited to the world-famous trotting series and will become just the third Australian-trained horse to contest the feature when he lines up at Solvalla on May 28.
“We will possibly go around in the free for all next weekend at Melton, so that’s sort of pencilled in and on the radar,” Sugars, the horse’s regular driver and co-trainer, said.
“That’s sort of the only possible race he can run in before he heads off to Sweden, so either that or we may go back to the trials next Tuesday. We will make that decision later in the week.”
Sugars was at the controls as Just Believe stepped out at the Melton trials on Wednesday and finished second to Andy Gath-trained Melanion in a 55.86sec last half.
It was his first public appearance since a runner-up placing to Aldebaran Zeus in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle on March 4.
“We were very happy with him,” Sugars said.
“It was his first serious hit-out since coming back from Sydney, so we knew he well and truly needed the run and it was up against the pacers.
“It was only a moderate first half but quite a sharp last half and he fought right to the line, so we were very happy with him.
“And most importantly, he seems to have come through it quite bright after the trial.”
Sugars said Just Believe would fly out to Sweden on either May 9 or May 16, with a large group of owners already booked to make the trip overseas to join him.
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.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH GREG SUGARS BELOW: