Catch A Wave seeking a form revival ahead of NZ trip

Master trainer Andy Gath might have the sage and garlic at the ready if star pacer Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) is to shake what his harness racing trainer describes as a ‘Melton Hoodoo’.

The winner of over two-million-dollars will use Saturday night’s Hygain four-year-old and five-year-old Championship at Melton Entertainment Park as a final hit-out before embarking on a New Zealand adventure.

Catch A Wave finished fifth in the Smoken Up Sprint behind champion pacer, Leap To Fame before a down-the-track finish in the Sportsbet Victoria Cup.

“He seems very well but he has got a bit of a Melton Hoodoo at the moment,” Gath said. “We always go there confident he is going to perform at his best, but you never know.”

The five-year-old’s last away trip brought Group 1 splendour with the pacer venturing to Menangle to claim the time-honoured Len Smith Mile.

“He seems to perform a bit better away from there (Melton),” Gath said. “He seems really switched on and we expect a better performance this week.”

Catch A Wave is set to leave Australian shores for New Zealand on Wednesday (October 6).

“The horse has shown before that he likes travelling – so the traveling is not an issue,” he said.

The eight-time Group 1 winner will bypass the New Zealand Cup on November 12 instead opting to tackle a free-for-all on the same day and will head towards the Group 1 NZ Free-For-All three days later.

“It suits him racing on Tuesday and then again on Friday. It is also an opportunity for the owners to jump on a plane and see the horse away from home,” the Long Forrest horseman said.

Saturday night’s 2240m event looks to be the ideal tune-up for the pacer ahead of a trip across the Tasman.

Catch A Wave has drawn 12 with main rivals the Emma Stewart-trained Perfect Class (10) and the Isabel Walsh-prepared Cantfindabettorman (11) drawing wide on the second row.

“They both (Perfect Class and Cantfindabettorman) are in terrific form, and they seem to be the two to beat and with the barrier draw,” Gath said.

“It always makes it tough from the back row if the lead time is slow. There is no doubt they are the three-quality horse’s heading into the race.”

The Group 3 Hygain four-year-old and five-year-old Championship is set to go at 6.28pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria