Hunter Cup still a chance for Catch A Wave after Casey scratching

Millionaire harness racing pacer Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) is still a strong chance of contesting the Hunter Cup despite being scratched from tomorrow night’s Casey Classic at Melton.

Trainer Andy Gath said the six-year-old bumped a leg and had some swelling, which prompted him to scratch Catch A Wave as a precautionary move.

“It’s already a lot better from yesterday after some treatment. The swelling has come down quite a bit,” he said.

“We had it scanned and its all clear, so it’s just a bump, but you don’t want to take any risks with these sorts of horses.

“I’d say he’s still more likely than not to line-up next week, but we won’t linger. We’ll make a yes or no decision on Monday.

“If it’s yes, we’ve got the option of trialling him Tuesday at Melton to help make up for missing the race this week.”

But Gath stressed they wouldn’t push ahead unless entirely confident Catch A Wave was right and primed.

“There’s a lot to come after the Hunter Cup, so it’s not a must race,” he said.

“We’d love to be in it, but we’ll see how he is Monday and make the call then.”

Catch A Wave hasn’t raced since finishing third in the Group 1 NZ free-for-all to Merlin at Addington on November 15.

He was $10 third favourite behind Leap To Fame ($1.15) and Kiwi star Republican Party ($7.50) in the Casey Classic.

Catch A Wave’s scratching looks to help the cause of Mark Jones’ emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod, who has plenty of early speed and now moves down to gate four with Catch A Wave and pole marker Arggghh scratched.

Tact McLeod looks a big chance of crossing Leap To Fame (gate two) at the start and then driver Anthony Butt would likely take a sit on the Queensland champ.

In other news, Leap To Fame’s flight went as planned from Brisbane last night (Thursday) and he has settled in Melbourne.

“Everything went smoothly,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said.

“He’s an experienced traveller now so arriving so close to the race shouldn’t bother him.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria