Catch A Wave primed for Eureka after sparkling trial

Brilliant pacer Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) is unbeaten in major races, and a sparkling Melton harness racing trial today (Aug. 29) has him primed for his biggest challenge yet in Saturday night’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle

It’s an understatement when trainer Andy Gath says he has a history of “peaking Catch A Wave for the big ones,” given he’s contested five Group 1 races and won the lot, the most recent two at Menangle in the Miracle Mile and Chariots Of Fire.

But Gath concedes preparing Catch A Wave – who he openly declares “the best pacer I’ve trained” – for the world’s richest harness race has been a new challenge this campaign.

“It’s because he spelled so well after the Miracle Mile and really developed and filled out. He came back a much bigger and heavier horse,” he said.

“He probably caught us by surprise when he was beaten first-up because his work at home had been so good, but he just ran out of condition a bit.

“But that’s why you give them lead-up runs, so find out where they’re at, and we knew we still had six weeks until the Eureka.”

Catch A Wave showed plenty of his class and brilliance, winning his only start since with a sparkling Melton 1720m win on August 12.

Gath capped his preparation with a sharp Melton 1720m trial win today, where he came from last in a seven-horse field and made up 20m to a close third in scorching closing sectional times.

TEX IS READY TO GO!@GathRacing's superstar Catch A Wave sat last and reeled off some fast closing splits to run third in his final trial before Saturday night's @eurekarace at @CMTrackside. pic.twitter.com/3mHGE1r8yx

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 29, 2023

“He ran his own last half in 52sec flat. He went terrific. He had a bit of a blow after it, but he was entitled to, and his recovery was great,” Gath said.

“He seems to be right where we want him. I don’t regret anything we’ve done with his preparation.

“It’s certainly a bonus that he’s been up and back to Menangle a few times before and won big races up there. He’s into the (pre-race) retention barn on Thursday, and while some horses might not enjoy that, he’s thrived in the past.”

Gath concedes unknown is Catch A Wave’s ability to run out what shapes as a very strongly run 2400m in the TAB Eureka. He’s never won beyond 2240m, and his only try was the worst result of his career when seventh over 2760m in a heat of the Victoria Derby on October 1, last year.

“I don’t think you can read too much into that Derby heat, and he’s matured a lot more since,” he said. “I think he’ll run it out, but he’s still got to go out there and do it in a really strong field.”

Like everyone, Gath said Queensland sensation Leap To Fame will be the hardest horse to beat.

“I’ve watched him and loved him for 18 months now,” he said. “He’s a wonderful horse. I’m full of respect for him and Grant (Dixon, trainer-driver), but I’m not afraid of him. We’ve got a horse who’s won a Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile already this year, and we’re looking forward to meeting him for the first time.”

Gifted pacer Captain Ravishing pleased connections with a private Menangle 2400m trial today, where he won by 15m and ripped home in 53.7 and 26.1sec.

In a daring preparation, he will go into the TAB Eureka, having not raced for six months. His last start was seventh to Catch A Wave in the Miracle Mile on March 4.|

The all-important barrier draw “reveal” is at 9am tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness racing Australia