Bonus for owners as Harry lands another Aurora Australis crown

Just Believe’s epic Australian Trotting Grand Prix triumph capped a two-month domination of Victoria’s trotting features and secured him a second-straight Aurora Australis victory.

Just Believe's bonus
Just Believe's bonus Picture: HRV

The Jess Tubbs-prepared squaregaiter accumulated 37 points from his five appearances in the eight-race series to finish 14 clear of nearest rival Callmethebreeze.

Just Believe won the Grand Prix, Knight Pistol, V L Dullard Trotters Cup, a Great Southern Star heat and ran second in the GSS Final to defend his title from 2023.

Chris Svanosio-trained Arcee Phoenix finished overall third on 20 points.

"With the possibility of multiple trips in the year ahead, winning the Aurora Australis will be a welcome bonus for Harry's owners," Tubbs said.

"The interest in him from across the globe has been quite phenomenal to witness and travelling with him means even more people will be able to see him racing live."

Tubbs said the messages, phone calls and comments of support had been "overwhelming" and it was "pretty special" that people largely unfamiliar with trots were still able to recognise the way Just Believe goes about things.

"As an industry, that's something to celebrate and we count ourselves so lucky to be associated with such an incredible horse," she said.

Aurora Australis points were accumulated on an 8, 5, 3, 2, 1 basis for placings in the Maori Mile, Knight Pistol, V L Dullard Trotters Cup, Great Southern Star heats, Great Southern Star Final, Bruce Skeggs Cranbourne Trotters Cup and Australian Trotting Grand Prix through January and February.

As a result, Just Believe's owners secure a $20,000 cash bonus.


Racing and Sports