Catseye Beach refuses to surrender to champion

Daren Garrard believes champion pacer Leap To Fame is “freakish”, but he has a gelding who won’t give up when they face off over 1660 metres at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Catseye Beach was convincingly beaten by the greatest standardbred in modern harness racing last Saturday night, but he certainly was not embarrassed.

The seven-year-old with 10 wins from 58 starts finished 26 metres behind the champion pacer in second spot.

Catseye Beach and Leap To Fame will start beside each other this weekend, from gates six and seven respectively.

“He’s just a freak. He’s got everything – speed, stamina and he loves to win,” Garrard said about Leap To Fame.

With a stunning 75 wins from 95 starts, trainer and driver Grant Dixon is keeping his seven-year-old horse fresh in Queensland as he prepares for the New Zealand Cup on November 10.

Garrard said he was impressed with Catseye Beach’s effort against the multiple Group 1-winner last Saturday night.

“He went super,” he said.

The experienced trainer and breeder said his starter by Sunshine Beach and out of Vaucluse Hanover faced a difficult task from gate six in race two at Albion Park this Saturday night.

Pete McMullen will drive him.

“He’s been going really well. He’s just drawn a little badly. We don’t know if he’ll get across the fence or not,” Garrard said.

“When he gets to the front, he never gives up. He’s a good horse.”

Catseye Beach’s sire, Sunshine Beach, is known for his impressive conformation and racetrack speed.

Garrard also said his bay gelding had good looks.

“He’s a very big horse, but he’s got really good conformation. He’s light on his feet,” he said.

“He’s taken a bit of time, but he’s just a lovely horse.”

Sheza Chance has also been running well for Garrard, with two wins from her past four starts.

The seven-year-old mare begins from gate four over 2647 metres at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Brendan Barnes will drive her.

“Same thing – tricky draw. Gus is in the race. He’s probably the best trotter in Australasia,” Garrard said.

“Another hard gate. Hopefully we can fill a hole or run first four or five.”

Meanwhile, Garrard said he had a couple of nice young horses with potential to progress through the grades.

“We’ve got a three-year-old trotter and he’s won four – Hilldale Hilton,” he said.

“He was showing a lot of promise. He’s out in the paddock now.

“We’ve got another horse – a four-year-old who trialled on Tuesday, Sinabun. He’ll be racing next Tuesday.”

 

by Josh Spasaro for Racing Queensland