Peter Thompson with Pauline Matthews and the late Richard Matthews
SUPERSTAR young pacer Catch A Wave will race in memory of his prominent and passionate owner Richard Matthews in heat of the Victoria Derby at Melton tomorrow night.
Matthews lost a long battle with ill-health this morning (Friday), just hours before the best pacer he's raced chases more Group 1 glory.
Catch A Wave is Victoria's most exciting young pacer with 13 starts netting 11 wins and a second, including the Group 1 Breeders Crown 2YO final at Melton last November.
The other superstar Matthews and his wife Pauline raced from their Yambuk home near Warrnambool was trotter Let Me Thru.
"He's the one that got away. He's the most talented trotter I've had," former trainer-driver Chris Lang said. "He only raced 30 times for 19 wins, a stack of them in feature races, and he on the way up when a breathing issue ended cut his career short."
Matthews called Lang yesterday to let him now how dire his health situation was.
"I was actually on the way down to see him this morning when I heard he had passed away," Lang said.
"Richard's been a great friend and fantastic supporter. He's had horses with me since about 2008 and has eight or nine with me now.
"We've got More Wanted in tonight and I'll race him and go around in a black armband to honour Richard. He's the last Group 1 winner Richard had."
Catch A Wave's trainer Andy Gath said Matthews' passing rocked he and wife, Kate.
"We knew he wasn't well, but this came suddenly. He called me yesterday to tell how serious it was and that he wanted his horses to race on," Gath said.
"Catch A Wave is potentially the best horse Kate and I have had and to share him with Richard has made it extra special.
"Hopefully the horse can continue to race on his honour and do him proud, starting with tomorrow night."
Like Lang, Kate Gath will wear a black armband on all her drives at Melton tomorrow night in Matthews' honour.
Catch A Wave is a hot favourite to win the first Derby heat tomorrow night and one of the major players for the final a week later.
* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
