It was just 18 months ago when Captain Ravishing was the most exciting pacer in Australia.

When he streaked away with the 4YO Bonanza at Melton in February, last year, Captain Ravishing had won seven of his past eight starts and was a raging hot favourite for the inaugural $2.1mil TAB Eureka.

Frustratingly, a string of niggling issues have halted his career. He’s only five times since and been winless.

Captain Ravishing did get to that TAB Eureka and run third, but new trainer Freddy Taiba said it “bottomed him out.”

The now five-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing a distant second to the outstanding Catch A Wave in 4YO Breeders Crown final at Melton on November 18, last year.

Catch A Wave has won over a $1 million since, including Group 1 wins in the Nullarbor, Fremantle Cup and last Saturday night’s Len Smith Mile at Menangle.

But Taiba insists Captain Ravishing is ready to make up for lost time, starting with victory in the Vale Neil Richmond Pace (1609m) at Geelong on Friday night.

“I’ll be super disappointed if he doesn’t gap them at Geelong to be honest,” he said.

“He looks amazing. He’s carrying so much more condition than last campaign and I’m confident he’ll race a lot better, too.

“Everything tells me he’s ready to show his best again.”

That includes two recent trials, the first a second to Catch A Wave and the second a sparkling Melton win yesterday (Tuesday).

“He was there for an easy trial behind Catch A Wave and we loved how he finished it off, then he led (Tuesday) and ran home in 27.9 and 26.8sec,” he said.

“I’m confident with a couple of runs under his belt, you’ll see the old Captain Ravishing again, but we’re not in any rush.”

That means the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 14 is not on the radar.

“No, it’s too soon. The horses he’d face there are fit and have had a great grounding,” Taiba saiid. “We’ll take them on later, when we’ve got him fully wound up.

“Hass (Taiba, owner) has talked about the NZ Cup, but it’s more likely we’ll keep him home and build for big races late this year or early next.

“I’ll be honest, the Miracle Mile is the big race we really want to set him for.”

Captain Ravishing has raced just 18 times for nine wins, five placings and banked $518,140.

His biggest win came in the Group 1 Vicbred final at Melton on November 19, 2022.