Gaths’ catch a good wave

By Michael Howard (HRV)

Well-earned rests await Catch A Wave and Just Hope after the pair produced barnstorming all-the-way performances to dominate the APG Vic Gold Bullion finals for three-year-olds at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

Connections of both said a tilt at Queensland’s lucrative winter carnivals were unlikely for their star pacers, who instead look set to be freshened for Victoria’s rich spring.

Few carry more hype than Andy Gath and Kate Gath’s Catch A Wave and he did no harm to his reputation, recording a ninth win from 10 starts off extraordinary first and third quarters.

The Breeders Crown winner added a second Group 1 by twice pouring on the pressure in 27-second quarters to register a five-metre win ahead of impressive District Attorney despite a comparatively modest run to the line.

“It was good to get the win,” Kate Gath told TrotsVision. “He got a bit keen. We’ve got blocks on him to make sure that he behaves himself at the start, which he’s now doing, so we’ll probably hopefully be able to get those off and I think he will be a lot more relaxed (in the run).”

The start was certainly no problem with Catch A Wave rocketing off the gate to lead easily.

Despite being unchallenged he reeled off the quickest first 200 metres of any horse on the night, covering it in 12.57 seconds, while only Love Ina Chevy in the TAB Young Pedro Free For All had a quicker first 100 metres, with his 6.23 seconds narrowly shading Catch A Wave (6.24).

He raced friskly through a 27.4-second first quarter, balanced up with a 29.2 second and then broke the pack open in the third quarter (27.9 seconds). His slowest quarter was the last but, while District Attorney ran on brilliantly to claim second, was never threatened.

“He was running that time easily and then when he got out so far in front around the corner he looked to switch off again, which he hadn’t done prior to that,” Gath said.

“He definitely settles without (the blocks), but I don’t know if we’ll score up without them. The fact he’s doing everything right, he has his last three runs and the trial, is really promising. Hopefully he’s getting a little bit more mature in that way.”

He’ll be given time off to build on that, with Gath saying “he will go for a little break”, adding “I don’t think we will target any of the bigger races in Queensland or anything with him yet, probably just set him for the big races later in the season”.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-05-17/23

in the 17 May 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.