Driscoll duo a chance for Dominion on Cup Day

Victoria’s harness racing assault on the huge New Zealand Cup Week could get even bigger.

Already Jess Tubbs has Just Believe, Better Eclipse and maybe Rakero Rebel preparing for the iconic second week of November in Christchurch.

Now, in a change of heart, superstar French import and Great Southern Star winner Callmethebreeze (Trixton) could join them.

New trainer Andy Gath confirmed owner Pat Driscoll had asked him to “throw in a nomination” for Callmethebreeze and star mare Im Ready Jet (Quaker Jet) for the $400,000 Dominion Trot on November 12 at Addington.

The glamour pair have both won their only starts for Gath since a split between Driscoll and former trainer Anton Golino.

Callmethebreeze has already shown Kiwis his class with that fantastic second to Just Believe in the inaugural TAB Trot at Cambridge on April 12.

The six-year-old was first-up since that run when he arrogantly won the Renwick Farms NZ Trotters’ free-for-all at Melton last Saturday night.

“I spoke with Pat (Driscoll) after the race and he asked me to nominate both Callmethebreeze and Im Ready Jet for the Dominion,” Gath said.

“At this stage, it’s really about keeping our options open.

“The prize money is obviously terrific and there’s the free-for-all on Friday of Cup Week, too.

“Im Ready Jet is qualified from a stand, but Callmethebreeze isn’t. So, that’s something we’ll have to look at as it gets closer if Pat’s keen to make the trip.”

Gath’s wife, Kate, who drove Callmethebreeze for the first time in a race last Saturday, was ultra impressed.

“We couldn’t ask for anymore. He’s a lovely horse and did it well,” she said.

“We were keen to drive him from the off the pace first-up and, although the race wasn’t run to suit, he came around them, trotted beautifully, and did it pretty easily.

“He’s very fast and gets up the straight very quickly. He’s such a kind horse around the stable, too. Everyone fights over him.”

It was Callmethebreeze’s 16^th win from 45 starts and he’s banked almost $1.75 million, including Group 1 success in Europe and Australia.

Im Ready Jet, who boasts 26 wins and over $700,000 in earnings, will face the ultimate test against champion Just Believe in Thursday night’s John Slack Memorial at Ballarat.

“We couldn’t be happier with her,” Andy Gath said. “She’s doing everything so well at home, but everyone knows how hard it is taking on Just Believe. It’ll certainly give us a good guide on where she’s at.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria