Just Believe - Solvalla Photo by Kurt Einevag
SUPERSTAR trotter Just Believe has bounced out of a rare and brave defeat and is raring to go again.
Trainer Jess Tubbs, who justifiably oozed pride in his fighting second to exciting European import Callmethebreeze in last Saturday night's Great Southern Star, confirmed a rematch was on the cards in the $75,000 Group 1 Grand Prix at Melton on February 24.
"That's the next target," she said. "We couldn't have been any prouder of his run the other night, and, as he tends to do, he's come through it well."
But the news isn't as good for NSW fans and officials, with Tubbs ruling out a trip to Menangle for the $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead on Miracle Mile night (March 9).
"That one is a no. It's not in the plans," she said.
"We're mindful he's been to Brisbane and has a trip to NZ coming up, so we won't add in Sydney as well."
"We'll look for some races here (Victoria) in the lead-up to NZ."
Tubbs confirmed Just Believe was "a definite" for the inaugural $NZ575,000 TAB Trot slot race at Cambridge on April 12.
"Yes, we were in talks for a while about a slot, and when we commit … we commit," she said.
"Obviously, we took Better Eclipse over last year for the Race By Grins, and they're at the same meeting this year."
"It'll be great to take Just Believe across for what's shaping up as a fantastic race."
"Hopefully, we can get a slot again for Better Eclipse in the Race By Grins, and they can head across together."
Better Eclipse, who ran a terrific fourth in last year's Race By Grins, delighted Tubbs by making ground from well back to finish fourth behind Leap To Fame in last Saturday night's Hunter Cup.
It followed his second to Leap To Fame in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final on December 16.
"I haven't seen his sectional times the other night, but they must have been fantastic given the times the winner ran home in," Tubbs said.
"He's racing so well now, and he will go to Sydney. I'd say his next run will be in one of those qualifying sprints (for the Miracle Mile) on March 2."
Better Eclipse will either contest the $ 1 million Miracle Mile on March 9 or, what's virtually the consolation prize, the $100,000 Ainsworth Light Horse free-for-all (2300m) on the same card.
Then Tubbs hopes to plot a lead-up path towards the Race By Grins.
"He ran so well in the 'Grins' last year, we'd love to take him back, especially with Just Believe already locked in," she said.
And it's never a chat with Tubbs without asking about the prospects of Just Believe returning to Sweden for another tilt at the famed Elitlopp at Solvalla in late May?
"Get back to me on that one. It's not out of the question, but our focus for now is on Cambridge, which we are fully committed to," she said.
