Gaths lock horns in rare clash between father and son

Father and son from trotting’s greatest dynasty will go head-to-head in the Skyvalley@Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series 2YO Silver Trot at Geelong on Wednesday night.

Inter Dominion-winning legend Brian Gath takes the reins behind Hold That Gold – whom he trains – while son Matthew has the sit behind his juvenile Hillside.

Both horses are raced by Norm Visca, a long-time supporter of the Gath family.

The Gath moniker is the most recognisable of all those associated with the sport since the inception of night trotting at the Showgrounds in 1947, even to the most casual of passersby.

A third-generation member of the Gath clan, Matthew admits he and his father have rarely faced the starter together in recent times.

“In the early days of me driving we would often compete in races and I reckon we have had two or three quinellas,” Matthew Gath said.

“In more recent years it hasn’t happened because I don’t get to go around all that often.”

Matthew admits the lure of the Silver Series prizemoney has influenced his decision to delay Hillside’s pending spell.

“He probably isn’t going as well as he was a couple of months ago, but with the couple of smart ones now scratched the rest are pretty even and it’s a $25,000 race after all,” he said.

“He is a tall, gangly horse who is not really a two-year-old, but he has won six trials so he does have some ability.”

The 77-year-old Brian Gath is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence in the sulky which has included piloting Illawong Stardust to an unlucky fifth in the Inter Dominion Trotters Grand Final at Menangle earlier this month.

The pacing-bred Lifeinthebalance ruined his chances by galloping mid-race in his Vicbred heat, however gets the opportunity to atone in the Silver Series (3YO Trotters) at Geelong.

A son of Grinfromeartoear out of a pacing mare, the Mitchell Frost-prepared gelding had previously strung together back-to-back wins at Geelong and Melton.

Golden Sunset, fourth in last year’s Vicbred Super Series (3YO Trotters) Final, appeared the horse to beat in the Silver Series (4YO Trotters), but has been scratched by trainer Juanita Breen.

This gives Peter Manning-prepared Dublin Chubb and a host of rivals a better chance of success in the other $25,000 event on the card.