CHARIOTS Of Fire hero Catch A Wave has snared a slot in the world’s richest harness race.
Just hours before he upset buzz pacer Captain Ravishing to win Saturday night’s Group 1 feature, it has been revealed Catch A Wave’s connections signed a deal to race for the Cordina Chickens slot in the $2.1 million TAB Eureka on September 2.
“We had a handshake deal with Andy Gath a few weeks ago, but put pen to paper on Saturday afternoon with Catch A Wave’s owners and Andy,” Daniel Cordina said.
“We couldn’t have timed it better, could we? While the ink is still drying, he comes out and beats Captain Ravishing like he did.”
Cordina admitted he and his partners, John Cordina and Steve Lester, did explore partnering with Captain Ravishing for the TAB Eureka.
“Yes, I spoke to Hass (Taiba, Captain Ravishing’s owner), but we couldn’t agree on terms,” he said. “I’d already had initial contact with Andy Gath at that stage. We’re very happy to have landed Catch A Wave.”
Captain Ravishing has since been locked-in to race for the Team Zav slot of Danny and Jo Zavitsanos in the Eureka.
A decision will be made this week whether Captain Ravishing tackles Saturday week’s $1 million Miracle Mile or has a break to focus on the Eureka.
But Catch A Wave has come through his epic Chariots Of Fire win superbly and will tackle the Miracle Mile.
And Cordina confirmed he would race in a specially designed set of colours, combining the Cordina Chickens silks with armbands in the red, yellow purple of his late owner, Richard Matthews.
Have Faith In Me is the last Chariots Of Fire winner to win the Miracle Mile in the same year in 2016, but the past five Chariots winners have gone on to be placed in the Mile.
“Even though our deal is just for the one race, the Eureka, it’s great the connections have agreed for Catch A Wave to race in the special silks from now on to help promote the Eureka and the fact he’s racing in our slot,” Cordina said.
“It gave us all a huge buzz when he did what he did in the Chariots and we will feel part of the whole Miracle Mile quest, too.
“He’s such an exciting horse and the way he won the Chariots, he will have a great chance in the Miracle Mile if he gets the right sort of run.”
The inaugural TAB Eureka will be the race of the year, headed by four-year-old stars Catch A Wave, Captain Ravishing and Leap To Fame, but also brilliant three-year-olds The Lost Storm and School Captain.
The latest market has Captain Ravishing and Leap To Fame $3 equal favourites from Catch A Wave at $7.
- Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
