Millionaire harness racing pacer Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) is still a strong chance of contesting the Hunter Cup despite being scratched from tomorrow nightās 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.
āItās already a lot better from yesterday after some treatment. The swelling has come down quite a bit,ā he said.
āWe had it scanned and its all clear, so itās just a bump, but you donāt want to take any risks with these sorts of horses.
āIād say heās still more likely than not to line-up next week, but we wonāt linger. Weāll make a yes or no decision on Monday.
āIf itās yes, weāve got the option of trialling him Tuesday at Melton to help make up for missing the race this week.ā
But Gath stressed they wouldnāt push ahead unless entirely confident Catch A Wave was right and primed.
āThereās a lot to come after the Hunter Cup, so itās not a must race,ā he said.
āWeād love to be in it, but weāll see how he is Monday and make the call then.ā
Catch A Wave hasnāt 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 Waveās scratching looks to help the cause of Mark Jonesā 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 Fameās flight went as planned from Brisbane last night (Thursday) and he has settled in Melbourne.
āEverything went smoothly,ā trainer-driver Grant Dixon said.
āHeās an experienced traveller now so arriving so close to the race shouldnāt bother him.ā
byĀ Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria