Andy Gath will have one eye on Albion Park and the other on Melton on Saturday night.
Like every racing love, Gath can’t wait for the epic Ladbrokes Inter Dominion clash between Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress.
Meanwhile, Gath’s own stable star Catch A Wave, who has chased home Leap To Fame so many times in mega races, makes his racetrack return from persistent hoof issues.
And Gath is adamant he can still be a feature race force.
“No doubt. On what he’s showing at home, he’s certainly not done yet,” he said.
“You really have to forgive his past 12 months. He had foot issues 12 months ago at the Brisbane Inter Dominion was never really right after that.
“He ran some good races here and there, but we were always managing his feet. In the end, we just had to turn him out for a good spell.
“Pleasingly, he’s sound now. He’s in great order and he’s working like it, too.
“You know yourself how challenging it would be running with a sore foot. That’s behind him now.”
Catch A Wave is the standout class runner in a seven-horse free for-all at Melton and has firmed from $3 to $2.50 favourite despite the outside draw.
But Gath had a word of warning.
“He’ll need the race run to suit and will probably have to come from last,” he said.
“He’s first-up, drawn wide and it’s just the start of his campaign. We’re going back from the draw, rather than risking a hard run outside the leader first-up.
“He can win, but he will need some luck.
“There’s not much for him as far as big races for a while, so we’ll just slowly build him for the Victoria Cup (in October) and go from there.
Back to the Inter Dominion and who is Gath tipping?
“You keep looking for reasons why Leap To Fame won’t win, but I’m with him,” he said.
“No doubt it’s going to be a heck of a race, the mare (Captains Mistress) is very good, but Leap To Fame wins these big ones more often than not. He can do things other horses can’t.”
