Just Believe will make his long-awaited return to Australian racing at Bendigo on Friday night, but his appearance at Lord’s Raceway is unlikely to be a simple lap of honour.
The Jess Tubbs-trained squaregaiter has not raced since his overseas heroics in Sweden and tackles a star-studded field of rivals in his first start since mid-June.
Just Believe is the sole runner on the back row in the TAB Breeders Crown Graduate Trotters Free For All, which also features the country’s newest star Queen Elida (seven), Anton Golino-trained duo Im Ready Jet (six) and Visionary (two), comeback kid Maori Law (four) and John Justice’s former Kiwi Mufasa Metro (five).
Queen Elida opened a $2.30 favourite with the TAB, while Just Believe was on the second line of betting at $3.10.
The Alabar Breeders Crown Graduate Pacers Free For All is dominated by Emma Stewart runners, with the champion trainer preparing five of the race’s 10 starters.
Hurricane Harley (two), Mach Dan (four), Beyond Delight (five), Major Moth (six) and Act Now (nine) make up half the field, while Rock N Roll Doo has the coveted inside front row gate for trainer-driver Michael Stanley.
He opened early favourite at $3.10 ahead of Act Now ($3.90) and Mach Dan ($4.40).
The two FFA events help form a blockbuster card at Bendigo on Friday night before attention turns to the Breeders Crown semi-finals on Saturday at Melton Entertainment Park.
While there is eight qualifiers for two and three-year-old pacers, perhaps the highlight of the evening is the clash between Catch A Wave and Captain Ravishing in the Breeders Crown Championship for four-year-old entires and geldings.
Catch A Wave is a $1.18 favourite from gate one, while Captain Ravishing is a $3.40 chance from five.
The Breeders Crown semi-finals lead towards rich Group 1 finals at Melton on November 25.
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