Small field entices Just Believe into early return ahead of a NZ voyage

Harness fans will get an unexpected bonus this weekend with the return of champion trotter Just Believe at Melton.

The globetrotting superstar, who boasts 32 wins and almost $1.6 million in prizemoney, wasn’t expected back at the races this soon, but trainer Jess Tubbs snapped up the opportunity to tackle a small field from a lovely barrier (four) in the Aldebaran Park Trotters’ Free-For-All (2240m).

Just Believe had a break after an extended and perfect New Zealand raid where he raced four times for as many wins, including the inaugural TAB Trot slot race and the time-honoured Group 1 Rowe Cup, which was the last of those races on May 24.

His dominance in NZ continued Just Believe’s incredible form since returning from a brave three-race Swedish trip in mid-2023.

Since returning home, the gelding has raced 16 times for a staggering 14 wins and two seconds.

Tubbs and husband, Greg Sugars, already have their next trip mapped out.

“It’s back to NZ,” Sugars said.

“We were already looking seriously at the Dominion (Trot) in November and now they’ve increased the prizemoney to $NZ400,000, we have to give it a go.

“We know he handles the travel well and we’ve got a good line on the sort of horses he’ll be meeting.

“It’s also great they’ve moved to the Dominion to be run on the same day as the NZ Cup (November 12).

“It’s such a huge day and to have all the best trotters and pacers racing on that day will be fantastic.”

It paves the way for Australia’s “Harry and Larry” show to be on full display in NZ for the first time.

Harry is Just Believe’s stable name, while Larry is the stable name for Australia’s champion pacer Leap To Fame, who is being set for the $NZ1 million NZ Cup.

Beyond the NZ trip, Just Believe will return to Australia to try and do what no other trotter has … win a third successive Inter Dominion trotting final at Menangle on December 14.

Just Believe will go into Saturday’s return with only one low-key trial under his belt, but he has loads of class over his rivals, who are headed by Aldebaran Zeus (gate two), Mufasa Metro (six), Sundons Courage (one) and Keayang Ignite (three).

The others highlights of the Melton meeting are the return of boom three-year-old filly Very Pretty (race three) as she prepares the Victoria Oaks and a strong free-for-all (race one) where Perfect Class will continue to press for a slot in the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 7.

Perfect Class’ stablemate Mach Dan, who returned to winning form, will be favourite from gate four in the same race and is also on a trial for a Menangle trip for the $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile on TAB Eureka night.