Captain Ravishing preparing for Melton hit-out

Speed machine Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) is set to make the first racetrack appearance of his TAB Eureka harness racing campaign before the meeting commences at Melton this Friday afternoon (Jul. 28).

Trainer Ahmed Taiba told thetrots.com.au that his star pacer had worked well in a Murphy blind at trackwork this morning and that he would wear the new piece of gear in the hit-out – likely with a galloping pacemaker – at Victorian harness racing headquarters.

Top reinsman Greg Sugars has been booked to drive Captain Ravishing in the TAB Eureka and it’s hoped he will be there to partner the horse on Friday.

“It’s just a minor gear change, but he was really straight,” Taiba said following today’s trackwork.

“I just hope that Greg can get a sit on him, he can feel him and then he’ll be able to let me know if we’re on target for the following Friday, Team Zav night.

“We’ve been working him over the mile-and-a-half trip – that’s what the Eureka is – so I would like to keep that the same.”

Captain Ravishing is on the third line of betting for the TAB Eureka at $5 and he will compete for Danny and Jo Zavitsanos’ “Team Zav” slot in the race.

It’s anticipated that he will clash with second favourite Catch A Wave in an exhibition trial at Geelong on August 4 as part of a “Team Zav” promotional night.

While nothing is set in stone, there’s the very real possibility Captain Ravishing could go into the September 2 slot race first-up since March’s Miracle Mile.

Taiba says he plans to utilise his horse’s biggest asset in a bid to try win the $2.1million feature.

“I’m going to work with his strengths and that is his speed,” he said.

“The way I think he could win the Eureka is if he was to be driven cold and use his speed towards the end.

“I’ve been working with CEN Nutrition and we’ve focused a lot on natural feed – low grain and high fibre – and we’re going to maintain that speed work. We’re training him to the way we’re feeding him and we’re going to focus a lot on just keeping that speed in his legs.”

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria