Highly-touted pacer primed for first interstate campaign

HIGHLY-TOUTED pacer Catch A Wave has been dealt no favours ahead of his first interstate trip.

Rated as being among the best of his crop, the Australian Pacing Gold purchase will make the trek from Victoria to New South Wales for Saturday night’s Club Menangle program.

Scheduled to leave his Long Forest stable early Friday evening, trainer Andy Gath plans to stop at Tarcutta overnight before arriving at the world class venue in time for morning tea.

Catch Of Wave will then have a few hours rest before contesting the Paleface Adios Stake.

Along with $50,000 in prizemoney, the Group Three offers entry to next week’s $250,000 Chariots Of Fire.

“He couldn’t be in better condition for the race,” Gath said. “Unfortunately I can’t say the same about his draw.

“Drawn 11 and coming out of nine over a mile is never an easy task, especially in a strong field.

“We’ll have to hope for some luck on the night.”

Catch A Wave will be joined on his journey by “his best mate”, classy trotter, Chinese Whispers.

Successful at two of his last three starts, Chinese Whispers has received barrier five in a trotters’ free-for-all.

The stablemates will be driven by Gath’s wife, Kate.

“Chinese Whispers is the perfect travel companion for Catch A Wave as he is his best mate,” Gath said. “They’re stabled next to each other and go out to a paddock together.

“It’s fortunate there is a suitable race for him, which he will be very competitive in.”