Aussies claims top Kiwi awards
RECENTLY retired champion Just Believe has added another feather to his cap after being named New Zealand Horse of the Year.
Becoming the first Australian to claim the Shaky Isles' top award in more than four decades, Just Believe won five of his six Kiwi starts, while finishing second in the other, throughout the season.
The squaregaiter's victories included the inaugural $600,000 TAB Trot as well as the Group One Dominion Trot, Rowe Cup and National Trot.
Persistent injuries saw the Jess Tubbs-trained gelding retired following his second in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All on November 15.
New South Wales pacer Steel Jaw is the only other Aussie to claim New Zealand's highest honour.
The Norm Lang-trained star tied with Sir Castleton following a successful 1983/84 season.
Just Believe also became the third Aussie to be crowned New Zealand Trotter of the Year, joining Scotch Notch (1982/83) and La Coocaracha (2001/02) on the honour roll.
Just Believe wasn't the only Aussie being recognised, with electrifying filly Keayang Zahara crowned Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.
Prepared by respected Victorian horsewoman Marg Lee, Keayang Zahara's Trans-Tasman wins include the $500,000 Velocity and Group One Trotters' Oaks and Derby.
