Million-Dollar Mission: Catch A Wave Eyes Carnival of Cups Bonus

23 September 2025

FORMER Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave will chase the $1 million bonus up for grabs at the 2025/26 NSW Carnival of Cups.

Last year mighty stayer Swayzee fell just one race short of snaring the $1 million for winning all five races in the series when second in the Albury Cup. He won the other four legs and banked a $500,000 bonus.

The bonus extends to $250,000 for any horse who can win three of the five legs.

Trainer Andy Gath confirmed Catch A Wave, with over $2.2 million in the bank and already an eight-time Group 1 winner, would be given his chance in the series, which starts at Wagga on November 13.

“We’ll take it one race at a time, but he will go to Wagga. It’s a good track and it comes at a good time for him,” Gath said.

“The smaller tracks don’t worry him, but it’s good the series starts with Wagga, Newcastle (December 5) and Bathurst (January 30).”

The other two legs are the iconic Albury Cup on February 13 and the Renshaw Cup at Penrith on March 20.

Before then, Catch A Wave will target his home ground $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 18.

The six-year-old was beaten a whisker in the race two years ago by Act Now when Leap To Fame finished third.

Catch A Wave will have Leap To Fame and defending champion Swayzee to contend with this year.

More immediately, Gath will be at Wagga on Friday with his exciting three-year-old My Ultimate Barney for heats of the NSW Breeders Challenge series.

My Ultimate Barney posted his ninth win from just 24 starts when he led throughout in slick time against older rivals at Melton last Saturday night.

“We’ve got a juggle after the heat with the Victoria Derby and NSW Breeders Challenge clashing,” Gath said.

“He’ll run in the Victoria Derby heats on October 10 (at Melton) and stay home if he qualifies for that final.

“If not, he’ll go to Menangle on the same night as the Derby final to run in the Breeders Challenge semi-finals.”