Catch A Wave gets set to crash Captain’s party

Andy Gath has been circumspect in preparing for Catch A Wave’s (Captaintreacherous) inevitable clash with the sport’s latest harness racing superstar Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous).

And the encounter that has the harness racing world salivating could be just a week away after Saturday night’s Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle.

Catch A Wave is a $2 favorite to prevail in the last of the qualifying races for next week’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire, and if all goes to script the two four-year-olds will face off for the first time as their burgeoning careers unfold.

Gath said circumstances had prevented the pair meeting until now.

“Catch A Wave didn’t qualify for the Derby, and we decided to miss the Breeders Crown in order to save him and run in the Vicbred and (have) a Chariots Of Fire campaign,” Gath said.

Gath opted to bypass last week’s 4YO Bonanza in preference to the Mercury 80 series, in which Catch A Wave effortlessly won his heat before impressively reeling in Fire Fox in the final.

“In the end I thought two races over the 1200 metres was a better preparation for a tilt at the Chariots Of Fire,” he said.

“He is airborne at the moment, he is better than he was as a three-year-old and he’s going to Sydney at the top of his game.”

Gath admits he is looking forward to a potential meeting with Captain Ravishing.

“Like everyone I love to see the best horses taking on each other and Captain Ravishing is a great horse, but my horse is a very good horse is in his own right – the best I’ve trained,” he said.

“I’d like to think it’s not likely any other horse can beat Captain Ravishing in the Chariots Of Fire except Catch A Wave.”

Gath is also mindful that Catch A Wave hasn’t yet raced at Menangle.

“I was always keen to take him to Sydney for the Paleface Adios in order to give him a look at Menangle prior to the Chariots,” he said.

“And long term it will be good for him to get accustomed to the track with The Eureka in mind come September.”

Catch A Wave has to contend with a wide draw in the Paleface Adios (barrier nine without the emergencies) where the first four horses across the line gain a berth in the Chariots Of Fire.

“We’ll probably have to go back and go around them if the tempo backs off, and if they keep running we can sit back and come with one run.”

Catch A Wave heads a four-strong Victorian contingent attempting to earn a place in the Chariots Of Fire.

The Matt Craven-trained Heza Son Of Agun, who was a gallant runner-up behind Captain Ravishing in the 4YO Bonanza, is on the third line of betting ($8), while Interest Free ($16) and Hes Charlies Angel ($81) are also vying for a top four finish.

Craven said Heza Son Of Agun was nearing his best.

“I was rapt with his run in the 4YO Bonanza,” Craven said.

“His previous run was a bit flat, but I think he is heading in the right direction now and from the barrier (three) he should be a good chance to run in the first four and qualify,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne for Harness Racing Victoria