Captain Ravishing Photo by Darren Tindale
DUAL Inter Dominion-winning trainer Jason Grimson has emerged as the late secret weapon in forgotten star Captain Ravishing's quest to the $2.1mil TAB Eureka.
Grimson, who burst onto the scene to become the pre-eminent open-class training force in Australasia, is helping trainer Ahmed Taiba fine-tune Captain Ravishing for the world's richest harness race on Saturday week at Menangle.
"We're thrilled to have the 'GOAT', Jason Grimson, in our corner," Taiba said. "Jason stayed with us in Victoria for three months last year when he won the Inter Dominion, and we're staying with him on-course at Menangle.
"We got up here last Thursday, and Jason's already had a couple of steers (drives) on him already."
The crucial one came last Saturday when Grimson partnered Captain Ravishing in a solo 2400m Menangle workout where the four-year-old ripped home in 54 and 25.3sec.
"Jason got off and said, 'you'll be right', and we were over the moon to hear that. It's great to be able to lean on someone like Jason, given he trains here (Menangle) and his record in the biggest races."
Captain Ravishing will have an official trial at Menangle on Wednesday, where new race driver Greg Sugars will travel up from Victoria to take the reins.
"It's an important trial, and we want him to have a serious hit out," Taiba said.
"We know we hold the X-factor in this race because he hasn't raced for six months and will go first-up into it.
"But to hear how happy Jason (Grimson) was the other day has really given us the confidence we've got him on target."
Captain Ravishing, a long-time TAB Eureka favourite, hasn't raced since finishing seventh in the Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 4. He's an $11 shot in latest markets and runs for the Team Zav slot of Danny and Jo Zavitsanos.
TAB Eureka big guns Leap To Fame and The Lost Storm won't race again before the race, but trainer Andy Gath will wait until tomorrow to make a final call with Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave.
"We've nominated him for Melton this week, but it's unlikely he'll run. I'm still leaning towards trialling him at Melton next Tuesday instead and floating up to Menangle the day after," Gath said.
Stewart is exploring a private Melton workout instead of a Saturday night race with Queensland Derby winner The Lost Storm.
"No, he won't race again before it (TAB Eureka)," she said. "He'll have a hit out in town, probably Friday."
Stewart co-trainer Clayton Tonkin also trains the lone mare, Encipher, in the TAB Eureka. She was terrific beating the boys in a very strong Westburn Grant free-for-all at Melton last Saturday night.
With regular driver Kate Gath committed to Catch A Wave, Encipher's connections have snapped-up champion NSW reinsman Luke McCarthy to drive her for the first time in the TAB Eureka.
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon will bypass another trial with $1.70 TAB Eureka's favourite Leap To Fame.
"There's no point spinning him around over a mile. I can work him harder and get more of it at home," he said. 'We'll take him down (to Menangle) on Sunday."
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
