Ravishing a month away from trialing

Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) will step out for a trial here in Victoria before his TAB Eureka harness racing preparation moves to New South Wales.

Owner Hass Taiba says his superstar pacer is progressing well as he works back from a spell following a down-the-track finish in March’s Miracle Mile.

Tabia’s brother Ahmed is now back as trainer of the four-year-old after he completed last preparation out of Clayton Tonkin and Emma Stewart’s Cardigan barn.

Captain Ravishing had the harness 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.

“I reckon he’s probably a month away,” Taiba said in regards to a public trial.

“Ahmed’s going to give him a trial here and then go to Menangle and give him one or two starts or even a trial and a start (before the Eureka).”

Taiba said the horse was doing well in his work at the family property in Sunbury.

“Everything he’s asking of him, he’s just ticking all the boxes,” Taiba said.

“We’re still early stages (in terms of) saying how good he’s going, but at the moment we couldn’t be happier.”

Mark Pitt partnered Captain Ravishing throughout last campaign, but Taiba said no driver had yet been booked as his replacement despite labelling Cameron Hart, Jack Trainor and Anthony Butt as the leading contenders.

The son of Captaintreacherous will race for Danny and Jo Zavitsanos’ slot in the TAB Eureka and is rated a $5 third elect behind Catch A Wave and Leap To Fame in early markets.

The inaugural race, for three and four-year-old Australian-bred pacers, will be staged at Menangle on September 2.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria