Trainer Matt Gath’s career in harness racing has had some big moments with stars of the sport like Wally Walton and Exhilarator, but Friday night’s Arch Electrical Group Echuca Trotters Cup is extra special for reasons that don’t necessarily belong just to the 46-year-old.
The Gath-trained Bella Lucy takes on a massive step-up in grade, but for long-term owners Norm and Joan Visca, just having a runner in the race means a lot.
“It wasn’t my choice, Norm had asked me plenty of times,” Gath told Toby McKinnon on Trots Life.
Gath said despite the big rise in class, knowing that Norm had been vice president of the Echuca club for the past 40 years meant he had to oblige.
“I folded pretty quick when he said to me it was like his dream, he has never had a trotter in the Cup before,” he said.
“What sort of a heart would you have if you couldn’t do it, put it in for them?”
Can she win? Who knows?
“If it does actually happen, which is you know a big if, you really want to get down there and check Norm out,” Gath said.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW GATH BELOW:
