Captain sets sail for Menangle

THE mystery horse of the $2.1mil TAB Eureka is on his way to Sydney.

Powerhouse four-year-old Captain Ravishing headed north from Ahmed Taiba’s Sunbury stables to settle in at Menangle ahead of the September 2 feature.

It’s a change of plans from trailing at Shepparton tonight.

“He worked so well Tuesday morning we decided to pack up and head to Sydney,” Taiba said. “It was super work.”

It’s now likely Captain Ravishing will trial at Menangle next Wednesday, which will be his first and probably on official trial ahead of the world’s richest harness race.

Taiba revealed many weeks ago he would take Captain Ravishing into the TAB Eureka first-up to conserve all his speed.

“If we’re going to win it, it will be with his speed and that’s how he’ll be driven,” Taiba said at the time.

Captain Ravishing hasn’t raced since finishing seventh in the Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 4.

Meanwhile, commanding TAB Eureka favourite Leap To Fame will complete his preparation at home after a race he was entered for didn’t hold-up at Albion Park tomorrow (Friday) night.

“It’s disappointing as having that race would have been ideal, but I can get him right at home now. He’s very close,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said.

“I don’t want to race him the week before he goes down to Sydney and there’s no point spinning him around in a mile trial, either.”

Dixon hopes to have a second TAB Eureka runner if Tims A Trooper grabs the eye of John Singleton for the last remaining slot in the race.

Tims A Trooper is a $1.85 favourite for Saturday night’s $50,000 The Singo, the race Singleton’s advisor, Jason Turnbull, will use to select his slot runner.