Brilliant 4YO emerges as a shock Hunter Cup contender

Brilliant four-year-old Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) has emerged as a shock Hunter Cup harness racing contender.

The plan was always to target the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney on February 18, but trainer Andy Gath is warming to Victoria’s biggest race on February 4.

Gath’s change of heart came after Catch A Wave brilliantly won a heat of the quirky Mercury80 series over just 1200m at Melton last night (Jan. 20).

“We’ve got some thinking to do and lots of options,” Gath said.

“His next run will be on February 4, but there are three possible races for him: the Hunter Cup, the 4YO Bonanza or the final of the Mercury80.

“I’d say the Hunter Cup is the most likely. He’s right in the zone now, I think it’s the best we’ve had him.

“He won really well last night and 100m past the post he was going stronger than ever.

“He beat a serious horse, proven in Group 1 races, in Hurricane Harley last night and I don’t think the open-class horses are anything special at the moment. They’re a good, even bunch and I think he’ll measure up to them with the right (barrier) draw.”

If Catch A Wave runs in the Hunter Cup, he will not push-on to the Chariots Of Fire.

“No, it’s one or the other,” Gath said. “The Chariots was always the target, but I’ve changed my mind. It’s still an option, but not the be all and end all now.”

Catch A Wave boasts 14 wins from just 18 starts.

The gelding would add some serious X-factor to the Hunter Cup, which already looms as the strongest race run in Australasia for the past three years.

Much attention is also on Victoria’s other buzz four-year-old Captain Ravishing, who is a $1.90 prepost favourite for the Chariots Of Fire.

Co-trainer Emma Stewart said the powerhouse pacer would go first-up into the Group 1 4YO Bonanza on Hunter Cup night.

Victory would guarantee him a spot in the Chariots Of Fire.

For complete race results, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia