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Which overseas assignment will Just Believe tackle in 2024?

It's the question on the minds of many harness racing fans as connections of the country's standout squaregaiter ponder what's abroad later this year.

Before his dominant triumph in Saturday night's The Knight Pistol at Ballarat, regular driver Greg Sugars revealed that there had been approaches about a start in the inaugural Trot Slot in New Zealand.

This opportunity, if accepted, would almost certainly rule out a return to Sweden for Elitloppet given the races are only about six weeks apart.

Trot Slot is scheduled for April 12 at Cambridge, with Elitloppet marked for May 26.

"We've had invitations from New Zealand to get him over to there. Nothing's been signed, sealed or delivered as of yet," Sugars said.

"We haven't actually had any official invitations from Sweden yet to see whether they want us back there.

"At this stage you'd probably have to say it's more likely New Zealand is on the cards, but anything can happen over the next month or two."

In what was his first appearance of the new season and first since capturing back-to-back Inter Dominion titles in Queensland on December 16, Just Believe sat parked and crushed his rivals to win The Knight Pistol.

It was his sixth-straight victory since returning from Sweden during the middle of last year and seemingly prompted some movement from officials in that country.

"Sweden have started reaching out since his win Saturday night," Sugars said.

"I could hear the crowd up the straight which is a pretty cool thing to take in. I've had a few of those moments with this horse along the way, so I hope there's plenty more."

Just Believe will now prepare to defend his Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star crown, with that race part of a blockbuster February 3 card at Melton which will also feature the A G Hunter Cup.