Even ace reinswoman Kate Gath admitted she wasn’t overly confident at the top of the straight.
Yet the Victorian star Catch a Wave scored the biggest win of his career, wearing down the mighty Captain Ravishing to win Saturday night’s $250,000 Cordina Chariots of Fire race at Club Menangle.
Captain Ravishing led easily from his inside gate and many thought that would be the end of the section.
Yet turning for home he didn’t look too comfortable as Gath made her move with Catch a Wave.
In a stirring struggle down the straight, Catch a Wave wore down the mighty Captain to score a two and a half metre win.
“Had it been any other horse I would have been pretty confident turning for home,” said Gath as she brought Catch a Wave back to a stunned presentation area.
“When I peeled off his back on the home turn, I really expected Captain Ravishing to kick on me and find another gear.
“But that didn’t really happen and maybe he wasn’t at his absolute best tonight, but nothing can be taken away from our horse.
“I’m only sorry his owner Richard Matthews wasn’t here to see it.
“Richard passed away a couple of weeks ago but has put so much time and money into the sport in the search for a horse like this.”
Nothing could be taken away from Catch a Wave, who raced without cover for most of the race and beat Captain Ravishing in a 1:49.1 mile rate.
Cantfindabettorman (Luke McCarthy) came from near last on the turn to finish an eye-catching third, just ahead of My Ultimate Ronnie, who also zoomed home from well back.
Catch a Wave’s trainer Andy Gath later explained that the son of Captaintreacherous had been “airborne” in recent weeks.
“Last week was an unbelievable run,” Gath said.
“We’re all a bit emotional at the moment; to do this for the Mathews family is just so special.
“Richard wanted this horse to race on for the family and the family has embraced it and that makes this win pretty special.
“The Miracle Mile was never in his plans, and we’ll go home tomorrow and think about it … but you have to make the most of your opportunities.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll be there.”
Catch A Wave joins Mach Dan as the first ‘invitees’ into the Miracle Mile in two weeks’ time.
Still, Captain Ravishing’s second placing will have directors at Club Menangle seriously considering another invitation.
