New Zealand Cup now unlikely for Captain Ravishing

The New Zealand Cup now shapes as an unlikely target for brilliant harness racing pacer Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) following his scratching from last weekend’s Grand Circuit classic.

Trainer Ahmed Taiba said an elevated temperature and the fact the horse left some of his food on Saturday morning was behind the decision to withdraw him from the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup, which was won in thrilling style by Act Now.

Taiba had the star four-year-old back in work this morning and told thetrots.com.au that a trip across the Tasman was unlikely in November.

“The vet just wanted him on a couple of days of antibiotics and to jog slowly, which he did over Sunday and Monday, and today we just went around about half-pace. He did that with ease,” Taiba said.

“I think the New Zealand Cup is definitely out of the question now, just because it was all going to be pending on how he went in the Victoria Cup.

“You can’t miss too many races going into a two-mile stand, and that was an important lead-up race for him.

“(Owner) Hass (Taiba) wanted me to divert plans and look at the 4YO and 5YO Championship (Melton, November 4) in our own backyard, followed with the Breeders Crown series because he is the three-year-old champion.”

The Inter Dominion series in Queensland and Golden Nugget in Western Australia remain possible targets for Captain Ravishing during December.

“The bucket list for me is definitely the Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile… and you don’t want to think too far ahead, but they’re the goals,” he said.

Taiba said he was likely to stick with Nathan Jack to drive Captain Ravishing, with the star reinsman booked for the Vic Cup before the horse’s scratching on Saturday.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria