Former Gippsland trotter Just Believe, raced by a big syndicate including a large number of locals, will line up as one of the leading fancies in the $250,000 InterDominion Trotting Championship Grand Final at Melton this Saturday night.
The horse was originally trained by Michael Hughes at Iona, and under his care finished in the minor placings in last year's grand final in Sydney.
The trotter's strong form has continued since Hughes gave the training game away earlier this year, and Just Believe was transferred into the care of trainers Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars near Ballarat.
Just Believe has been undefeated through the qualifying divisions of this year's trotting championship, and, despite facing his toughest test on Saturday, now ranks as one of the best horses of his gait in Australasia.
The horse has already won the Kilmore and Shepparton Cup, as well as the Bill Collins Sprint earlier this year.
Last Saturday night at Geelong Just Believe won his third qualifying division, leading throughout to defeat star Kiwi trotter Bolt For Brilliance.
"I probably didn't want the race to be any further. He (Bolt For Brilliance) was wearing me down on the line and we know he's obviously an outstanding horse. He was the most well credentialed horse coming into this series, so it's really pleasing that we've got one on the board up against him anyway," driver Sugars said.
"He's a versatile horse so we don't have to draw to lead to say we're a winning chance, but it will certainly help."
Its been a great ride so far for the enthusiastic members of the Iona Trotter Syndicate, which races Just Believe, and many of those members will be trackside on Saturday night as their horse races for the rich prizemoney on offer.