Star Victorian pacer Catch A Wave will add to the vast travel itinerary through his stellar career when he tackles the first leg of the rich NSW Carnival of Cups on Friday night.
When the $2.2 million-earner steps out in the $60,000 The Bidgee (2800m) it will be the 13th track he has raced at, across four different states and two countries in his stellar 65 start career.
Catch A Wave will continue to add to that if he contests the other four legs of the series at Newcastle (December 5), Bathurst (January 30), Albury (February 13) and Penrith (March 20).
The NSW Carnival of Cups carries a $1 million bonus for any pacer who can win all five legs. There is a $500,000 bonus for four wins and $250,000 for three wins.
Champion stayer Swayzee went close to the $1 million last year with four wins and a second. He banked a $500,000 bonus.
The lure of the bonus has drawn the strongest race Wagga has ever hosted with Catch A Wave joined by other top class pacers like Don Hugo, winner of an Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and TAB Eureka, Captain Knock, Max Delight, Horn Player, Oliver Dan and Ripp.
“It’s certainly a strong field, but we’ve known for a while it was shaping-up that way,” Catch A Wave’s trainer Andy Gath said.
“We thought it was worth having a crack at and how many of the legs he runs in will depend on how fares in the first couple.
“If he’s really competitive, we’ll keep going to them. I know the last two legs are at smaller tracks, but they don’t bother him, while they might a few others.”
While Catch A Wave has only won one of his past five starts, Gath has been pleased with his form.
“Apart from the Victoria Cup run, when we think he had some excuses, he’s been racing consistently and creditably,” he said.
“This won’t be easy, especially with a horse like Don Hugo as a benchmark. He went well first-up at Menangle last weekend and will be fitter.
“Captains Knock was fantastic winning that Menangle race, but like Tex (Catch A Wave’s stable name) he can mix his form in the bigger races.”
Catch A Wave looks to have a slightly better barrier in gate nine than his major rivals, but Gath said it would depend on how well I Break The Line begins, who is drawn in front of his stable star.
“He can get out well, but he can also gallop, I Break The Line, so we need him to get it all right and hope we can push through and settle in front of horses like Don Hugo, Captains Knock and Max Delight,” Gath said.
“If we can, I’d be keen for Kate (Gath, driver) to get going on him early and get right on the speed.
“It’s a race with depth and with the big guns drawn off the back row, there will be plenty of moves.”
Gath is taking three-year-old filly My Little Bo as a travelling companion for Catch A Wave.
She ran fifth in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks three starts back and looks well suited in the fourth event at Wagga.
- Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
