Remarkable form continues

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Andy Gath has produced many pieces of brilliance in his time as a trainer, and his efforts with recent stable acquisition Solesseo Matuca are certainly worthy of joining that long list.

Gath and long-time owner Norm Jenkin purchased the son of A Rocknroll Dance following his last start for previous connections in early July, with the horse winless since December 2021.

But he continued a remarkable return to form with his third success at start six for Gath and his team when he sprint-laned to victory in last Saturday night’s Ride High Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old colts and geldings at Tabcorp Park Melton.

In the aftermath of the triumph, driver Kate Gath revealed the horse’s identity was kept secret in his initial days at her Long Forest barn.

“The truth is that I didn’t know who it was for three days when (he) arrived at the stables because Andy wouldn’t tell me,” Kate said.

“He knew that I’d be like ‘why did you buy that for?’, but he knew exactly what he was doing.

“The horse has been so honest since we purchased him… he’s always been up to this grade as a two and three-year-old,” she said.