Captain ready to ravage his rivals

Owner Hass Taiba feels like he’s been on a mental rollercoaster with gifted harness racing pacer Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous).

But after months of ups, downs, setbacks and doubts, Taiba feels his “special” horse is ready for the world’s richest harness race, Saturday night’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle.

“Wow, it’s been a ride,” he said. “There’s been times where we wondered if he would make it to the race, but he’s there now.

“It hasn’t been anything major, just little things like when he got on himself at Geelong in that public workout and then galloped before the start in the Menangle trial last week. He nicked himself in that one, but thankfully it was very minor.

“We’ve really felt up against it at times, but this past week has been so good. It’s a huge relief.”

The tide turned when Captain Ravishing worked well at Menangle last Saturday.

He then followed it up with a glimpse of his brilliance in an easy “private” trial win at the same track on Tuesday.

“We really feel like we’re back on track,” Taiba said. “Whether he can win it, time will tell, but he’s ready for it now.

“We’re thrilled for Danny and Jo (Zavitsanos), too. They took him in their slot and have been along for the journey, riding the ups and down with us.”

Taiba admitted it was a gamble, one that shocked many, when he decided to take Captain Ravishing back from champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin and return him to his brother, Ahmed, to train after he was beaten in the Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile earlier this year.

“Absolutely it was,” he said. “But we just felt it was the right thing to do. And we’re all about family. He’s back where he started with our family and Ahmed has put everything into this.

“There’s lots of pressure that comes with a horse like him, let alone when he’s had some hiccups along the way.

“It’s a relief and it’s exciting we’re almost at race time and he’ll be lining up.

“It’s great to be part of such a new and important race for our industry and we’re hoping he can show the sort of form that had everyone talking about him earlier this year.”

Ahmed Taiba, fighting back his emotions, admitted to a huge sigh of relief after Captain Ravishing’s slick private trial win on Tuesday.

“The last few days have been fantastic and I can’t tell you what a relief that is,” he said.

“His work was exactly what we hoped for on Tuesday. Jason (Grimson) drove him and came back saying ‘we can win this.’ That’s great to hear.

“We can confidently say we’ve got the only horse who has ever sat outside and beaten Leap To Fame in a race and that’s really something.”

Captain Ravishing heads into the TAB Eureka having not raced for six months. His last start was seventh in the Miracle Mile on March 4.

“I read somewhere I’d deserve legend status if he could win the race on the preparation he’s had … I’m hoping  they’re calling me a legend after the race,” Taiba laughed.

Captain Ravishing, the early and long-time TAB Eureka favourite, eased to as much as $21 last week, but is back into $12 after landing barrier 11. He will start from seven after the emergencies come out.

“It’s great to be drawn inside the two favourites (Leap To Fame and Catch A Wave), but we won’t be getting into any early speed burns,” Taiba said.

“I’ve said all along, if we’re going to win the race it will be with his speed, not his strength. That’s why we’ve done everything we can to keep as much speed in his legs.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness racing Australia