The mantle is sitting empty, at least for six months or so.

Who will step-up and grab as Australia’s best trotter with Just Believe retired and Callmethebreeze limbo?

Most likely, they will just be keeping the mantle warm until the stunningly exciting Keayang Zahara steps into the big open-class league, which now looks like July for the Queensland Inter Dominion.

But for now the door is open and who will grab it is a question we should be a lot closer to answering after Saturday night’s Great Southern Star at Melton.

The race won’t quite seem the same this year without Just Believe, who won it in 2023 and finished a mighty second after an epic battle with Callmethebreeze.

But it will provide the opportunity to line-up the best open-class Aussie trotting talent around at the moment, plus get a good barometer with the presence of rejuvenated Kiwi star Oscar Bonavena.

The obvious form line going into the Great Southern Star comes through last month’s Menangle Inter Dominion final where The Locomotive beat Keayang Chucky with the likes of Queen Elida, Mufasa Metro and Plymouth Chubb among the beaten brigade.

The two key players who didn’t contest that series are Arcee Phoenix and Ollivici, the latter won’t be in action this week after a small operation to remove a bone chip.

It's easy to say The Locomotive is the logical top seed in a Great Southern Star without Just Believe and Callmethebreeze.

Maybe he is, but as great as he was at Menangle, he was able to use his speed and control all four races through the heats and final.

That’s not to play his deeds down, more highlight that a greater guide will come if he’s got to do the work outside the leader or come from off the speed.

Top seeds can do that and still win.

Keayang Chucky was good in Sydney, but driver Jason Lee was adamant he was “down a length or two” on how well he was going a month before the series.

It was hard not to be impressed with his powerhouse win, coming wide and in quick late splits to easily rundown Queen Elida in last Saturday night’s Dullard Cup at Melton.

Remember, Keayang Chucky did run third to Callmethebreeze and Just Believe last year and is a lot more seasoned now.

Queen Elida is a conundrum. Rolling into her last season of racing, she has mixed her form a lot more in the past 12-18 months than the absolute height of her career.

But there’s no denying her class, gate speed and suitability to the spring racing of the Great Southern Star.

Mufasa Metro is another suited to sprint racing, but looks a length or two off the best, even with a good draw.

Arcee Phoenix is the trotter who most interests me. Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio opted to give him two Addington runs during the iconic NZ Cup Week at the expense of contesting the Inter Dominion.

Both runs were terrific without any luck and against strong company.

Arcee Phoenix has returned with three terrific runs, including sparkling wins at Bendigo and Ballarat.

He’s always looked the “next most likely” to challenge the champs and now he doesn’t have to deal with them.

It’ll be fascinating to see how he stacks up against The Locomotive.