Exhibition trial looms between TAB Eureka rivals

Two of the big TAB Eureka harness racing players could be set for a little sparring match in their home state of Victoria early next month.

Talks are well and truly underway between race slot holder Danny Zavitsanos and connections of star pacers Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) and Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) in regards to an exhibition trial at Geelong on Friday, August 4.

While nothing is set in stone, the conversations are progressing well and there’s an element of confidence that the clash will go ahead.

The hit-out would be between races at the Geelong meeting, which is being used as a promotional night for Zavitsanos and his wife Jo’s “Team Zav” venture.

“Team Zav” has secured Captain Ravishing as its runner in the $2.1million TAB Eureka, which will become the world’s richest harness race when it is held for the first time at Menangle on September 2.

The son of Captaintreacherous had the racing world in a frenzy with a string of stunning performances through late 2022 and early 2023, highlighted by a track record win in the Group 1 Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old colts and geldings on November 19 at Melton.

Captain Ravishing has returned to the stables of Ahmed Taiba, who prepared the horse for his first few starts before moving him into the care of champion trainer Emma Stewart.

The Andy Gath-trained Catch A Wave defeated Captain Ravishing at his last two outings, firstly in the Group 1 Chariots of Fire on February 18 and then again in the Group 1 Miracle Mile on March 4.

He is back in work and could be seen at the trials as soon as next week.

Catch A Wave ($3.50) and Captain Ravishing ($5) are on the second and third lines of betting for the TAB Eureka behind megastar Queenslander Leap To Fame, who steps out for his next assignment at Albion Park this Saturday night.

Grant Dixon’s brute is a $1.25 punters’ elect for the Group 1 Rising Sun, which is a major pillar in the state’s ever-popular winter carnival.

Leap To Fame won three derbies during his three-year-old campaign and produced one of his greatest performances three Fridays ago when he smashed the Redcliffe track record despite a difficult run in the Group 3 Patron’s Purse.

A host of Victorian horses will be seen in Queensland across the coming weeks, including the Zavitsanos-owned Mach Dan and Tempting Tigress.

Mach Dan cruised to victory first-up from a break in Saturday night’s free-for-all contest at Melton, and is set to contest the Group 1 double, the Sunshine Sprint (July 15) and Blacks A Fake (July 22).

Tempting Tigress also won easily at Melton and is being aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on July 22.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria