As Just Believe prepares for an epic challenge in Sunday’s Elitloppet, there is every reason to believe he will be the start of a train of Down Under stars chasing the world’s most iconic trotting race.
It has been a rarity, but that’s about to change.
Just Believe will become only the third Aussie-trained runner in the Elitloppet. There have been four Kiwi-trained runners, starting with Petite Evander in 1977 and ’78.
We can also sort of claim A Touch Of Flair, who was Aussie-owned but US-trained when he ran last in a 2007 heat.
But the dramatic improvement of the trotting breed Down Under, especially in Australia, has bridged the gap on our northern hemisphere counterparts, albeit there is still a way to go.
Decorated trotting trainer Chris Lang, who had Sundons Gift run sixth in an Elitoppet heat in 2009, longs to return and insists our best trotters will be more competitive on a world stage in years to come.
“Our breed has come ahead in leaps and bounds in the past decade or so. Our trotters are faster and better gaited,” he said. “The time will come when we’re very competitive and may not be that far away. A superstar will emerge here, out of the great breeds we’ve got here now, and be good enough to match it with the best anywhere.
“And, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of our best trotters giving it a shot.
“I’m definitely envious of the Just Believe team because I know what an amazing experience it is and I’m desperate to get back.
“I hope Ollivici could be the horse to get me there. It might be another year or two, but I think he’s potentially up with the best I’ve had.
“He’s on his way back. I just decided to give him a good break with a longer term view. I’ve got very high hopes for him.”
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Already, last week we had another top trotting trainer, Brent Lilley, declare strong interest in taking brilliant mare Queen Elida across next year.
And why not? Most would agree she’s at least as good as Just Believe at her top, which looks to have returned to in recent runs.
Like Lang, Lilley has tasted the Elitloppet and can’t wait to do so again. He took speedy mare Maori Time across in 2018.
“It’s still a year away, if she (Queen Elida) keeps going the way she is now, we’d give it serious thought,” he said.
“She’s just so fast and versatile. She can work early and is lethal coming from off the speed.
“I’d say she’d be an ideal trotter to take across for it.”
Lang and Lilley should and will be watching Just Believe’s performance closely for a number of reasons.
Firstly, with any luck from a disappointingly wide draw, it will give a line in the sand for where our best trotters do sit on a world stage.
Secondly, and just as importantly, we all need Just Believe to perform creditably.
While the Swedes love having a Down Under trotter competing, unless we build on the record of just one finalist, the fascination may wane.
Sure, our horses provide an X-factor, but they will need to pull their weight on the track for the Elitloppet officials to keep digging into their coffers to help finance the very expensive trips.
Let’s hope Just Believe, despite his bad draw, goes well for the sake of his connections who have dared to dream and those who wish to follow in their footsteps.
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The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.