When the $2.2 million earner exits the $60,000 The Bidgee (2800 million) it will be the 13the track he has raced on, in four different states and two countries in his stellar 65-start career.
Catch A Wave will continue to add to that when it contests the other four legs of the series in Newcastle (December 5), Bathurst (January 30), Albury (February 13) and Penrith (March 20).
The NSW Carnival of Cups has a $1 million bonus for any pacer who can win all five legs. There is a bonus of $500,000 for four wins and $250,000 for three wins.
Champion stayer Swayzee came close to $1 million last year with four wins and a second. He received a $500,000 bonus.
The lure of the bonus has led to the strongest race Wagga has ever staged, with Catch A Wave joined by other top class pacers such as Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo, Captain Knock, Max Delight, Horn Player, Oliver Dan and Ripp.
“It’s definitely a strong field, but we’ve known it was shaping up that way for a while,” Catch A Wave coach Andy Gath said.
“We thought it was worth taking a look and how many of the legs he runs will depend on what the prices are in the first pair.
“If he is really competitive we will keep going to them. I know the last two stages are on smaller circuits but it doesn’t bother him, while there might be a few others.”
Although Catch A Wave has won just one of his past five starts, Gath is pleased with his form.
“Apart from the Victoria Cup run, if we think he had some excuses, he has raced consistently and creditably,” he said.
“This won’t be easy, especially with a horse like Don Hugo as a benchmark. He did well first in Menangle last weekend and will get fitter.
“Captains Knock was fantastic when he won that Menangle race, but like Tex (Catch A Wave’s stable name) he can combine his form in the bigger races.”
Catch A Wave appears to have a slightly better barrier at gate nine than its major rivals, but Gath said that depends on how well I Break The Line starts, which is pulled ahead of its stable star.
“He can get out there, but he can also gallop, I Break The Line, so we need him to get everything right and hope we can push through and settle in for horses like Don Hugo, Captains Knock and Max Delight,” Gath said.
“If that’s possible, I’d like Kate (Gath, driver) to turn it on early and get up to speed straight away.
“It’s a race with depth and with the big guns pulled from the back row, there will be plenty of moves.”
Gath brings the three-year-old filly My Little Bo as a traveling companion for Catch A Wave.
She was fifth in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks, three starts back, and looks good in the fourth event at Wagga.
Through Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Victoria
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