Yambukian upsets Catch A Wave

An Andy  Gath trained harness racing runner took out the Preux Chevalier Free For All at Melton tonight- but not the one everybody thought would prevail.

The Gath trained Catch A Wave was resuming for the first time since winning the Miracle Mile and both bookmakers and punters alike assumed the race would prove  a procession for the son of Captaintreacherous

Catch A Wave, the prohibitive $1.01 favorite,  cruised to the lead with stablemate Yambukian (Bettors Delight) on his back and when Kate Gath released the reins on the popular elect in the home straight many thought the race was over.

Not so James Herbertson and Yambukian which stuck to its task along the sprint lane  grabbing the  much vaunted Catch A Wave in the shadows of the post scoring by a nose on the line in a mile rate of 1:55.1.

Stand aside, little brother!
Yambukian upsets his superstar sibling and stable mate Catch A Wave in a thrilling finish to the Garrards Preux Chevalier Free For All at Melton with James Herbertson in the sulky for trainer Andy Gath. pic.twitter.com/fBsEXzqpgi

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) July 22, 2023

Yambukian ran its last 800 metres in a slick 54.4 seconds.

Herbertson could scarcely contain his surprise after the race.

“Like everyone else I’m in a state of shock,” Herbertson said.

Herbertson was still waiting for the result to sink in minutes later.

“I didn’t even think that I did win because horses like Catch A Wave shouldn’t get beaten, I still can’t believe it now,” he said.

“It was only when we were turning around to come back after the race that Greg (Sugars) turned to me and said ‘you’ve just beaten Catch A Wave’”.

Herbertson acknowledged the performance of Yambukian (by Bettors Delight) who is an older half-brother to Catch A Wave.

“Yambukian was pretty solid tonight off a sit but Catch A Wave is an absolute machine of a horse and tonight he just switched off late,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink