From Harness Link (Tony Milanese, published 19 April 2025)
Outstanding Victorian pacer Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) staked his claim for a back to back Nullabor success with an effortless all the way harness racing win in the Garrards Horse and Hounds Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Although Catch A Wave was well supported local punters put their hope into their boom pacer Mister Smartee and he ended favourite in what was considered a two way clash.
Showing blistering speed from the mobile Catch A Wave quickly found the lead. However from barrier 8, Mister Smartee was a bit wide early and driver Gary Hall Jnr had little option but to go up and test the leader.
However Kate Gath on Catch A Wave ensured that it would be a fast run race making the task of Mister Smartee difficult. Hoppy’s Way had the trail behind the leader with Talks Up a Storm with the one out and one back trail.
But even early on the big question was whether Mister Smartee could make a race of it by sitting outside the leader.
Gath applied the pressure running his third quarter in 27.7 seconds and at this stage Mister Smartee was hard pressed keeping in touch with Catch A Wave. Then Gath released the brakes in the final quarter and by running 26.9 seconds made sure that nothing behind would pose a threat.
Catch A Wave had a comfortable winning margin of ten metres over Mister Smartee with Hoppy’s Way battling on for third placing.
Kate Gath was satisfied following the event.
“I was pretty happy with that and the aim is next week so I think that was the perfect run.”
“I think it will do him good. He hasn’t had a run for a couple of weeks. We purposely left him and race him here and did this last year. He runs three weeks in a row and it seemed to work out very well.”
Gath indicated that all three of her main dangers would be hard to beat.
“I’ve got so much respect for Minstrel, his runs last year were outstanding. Obviously Swayzee is very tough and I’m just hoping they both want the same spot and put a bit of speed on. That’s how he loves it.”
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then. We don’t know exactly what will happen. If we had a plan that’s what would be the one we want.”
Next week’s $1.25 million running of the Nullabor will see Catch A Wave and the other interstate raider Swayzee lock horns and the main West Australian contenders are shaping to be Minstrel and Mister Smartee. Even though at this stage the interstate raiders appear to have the upper hand but the barrier draw will be all important.
Catch A Wave races at his very best when away from home and trainer Andy Gath looks to have him in peak form for next week.
Minstrel hasn’t raced since a gallant second in the Mount Eden Mile at Pinjarra last month and he is bound to be whereabouts. A decision will be made shortly as to whether Magnificent Storm will take his place in the field.
