Page 20 The Moorabool News – 16 November, 2021
Sport Kate and Andy riding Wave of success
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
By Tim O’Connor (HRV)
Bewley docks at Darley
By Todd Whelan
The much-anticipated return of a former AFL player to Darley finally came to fruition at the weekend with talented midfielder Brett Bewley, signing on with the club for the 2022 BFNL season. Penning ink to paper must have been a bittersweet moment for the 26-year-old who has spent the last three seasons (inc. 25 games) with the Fremantle Dockers. Bewley headed west following his draft selection (pick 59) in 2018 on the back of a stand-out season with VFL club Williamstown where he averaged 26 disposals per game. The hard running left footer would be later named in the VFL Team of the Year, duly attracting the eyes of AFL pundits in the process. Bewley's progress, especially at AFL level has been closely monitored by the family faithful at Darley, wishing him every success along the way, living out a boyhood dream shared by so many, but reserved for a special few. According to Darley Football Manager Craig Baker, 186cm Bewley will provide a much-needed boost to the depth of the midfield group. "While expectations (on the club) naturally improve with these types of quality signings, it's the (potential) development of our younger players and the re-invigoration of our senior core that's most pleasing for us at the moment," Baker said. "Brett also brings with him standards in preparation and training that we're confident will have a significant impact on our youth coming through, not to mention his on-field leadership on game days." Baker conceded Bewley's signature was highly sort after around the state, with the club over the moon he has committed to the Devils. "I think up to eight VFL clubs as well as numerous local clubs had talks with Brett," Baker said. So, it's with long awaited open arms, Bewley returns to where his football journey began, and what a player he's become. Rival coaches from other BFNL clubs have already taken notice of the new addition announced by the club last Friday. Ironically, Bewley joins former Williamstown team-mate Nick Rodda at the Devils after the 194cm, 100kg big man signed on full-time less than a month ago. When you add newly appointed star coach Dan Jordan into the mix, it does offer considerable weight to the old adage that “good things do come in three’s”.
The Mimosa Homes Breeders Crown Series 2YO Colts and Geldings Final looks at the mercy of Catch A Wave after he put together another dominant performance in his semifinal on Saturday night. The Andy Gath-trained son of Captaintreacherous again showed some of his quirks and did a few things wrong, but proved far too good for his rivals and is likely to start a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 decider. Coming from the outside of the back row, driver Kate Gath wasted little time getting her charge up into the race and had worked to the top by the bell. She had to keep his mind on the job approaching the turn, but he knuckled down and was full of running through the line. He zipped home in a final quarter of 27.7sec to clock a mile rate of 1:56.2min and had 6.8m to spare over runner up My Ultimate Baxter (Jarrod Alchin/Cameron Hart), with Anotherbigman (Emma Stewart/Chris Alford). Catch A Wave has now won five of six starts, with his only blemish coming in the Tatlow Stakes at Geelong on October 23. “He's definitely got the raw ability, hasn't he? He's just got to put it all together,” Kate said. “He felt like he was walking or not going as quick as what he went, put it that way. “Then he probably went a little bit quicker than what I wanted up the back straight because he went to ease up, so I just had to put his mind on the job. Then he went a little bit too quick.” One of Catch A Wave's biggest challengers in next Saturday night's $300,000 Group 1 final is Julie Douglas-trained Interest Free, who took out the first of the semi-finals in impressive style. In a race of changing complexion, Interest Free was taken three back the pegs from his barrier eight draw and had to watch on as Aaron Dunn shot for home on Flash Jimmy, but sprinted quickly with clear running to haul him in comfortably before the line. Hes Charlies Angel (Charlene Gusman/David Miles), who found the early lead, held on to run third.
Catch a Wave (12). Photo Stuart McCormick Final quarters of 28.5sec and 28sec set up a mile rate of 1:55.0min, which was significantly quicker than the one Catch A Wave recorded. Interest Free and Catch A Wave have clashed twice in their short careers so far, with the latter prevailing on both occasions at Melton and Ballarat. “We saw first-up at Melton here when he sat on Interest Free… he just gave him a cold in the home straight," Kate Gath said. “Interest Free was parked and I was one-one, but that was his first start in a race. “His last quarter then was 26-something and his last half was 54, so he can run really good speed off horses as well.” The qualifiers for this Saturday night’s $300,000 Mimosa Homes Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Final are: ANOTHERBIGMAN INTEREST FREE BEACH VILLA (1st Em) JET ROCK BRUTALLY HANDSOME LIGHTNING JASH CATCH A WAVE MY ULTIMATE BAXTER NZ FLASH JIMMY MY ULTIMATE SKEETA HES CHARLIES ANGEL HEZA SON OF AGUN
TIMS A TROOPER
Team withdrawn from Championships
By Tim O’Connor Champion trainer Andy Gath will play no part in the 2021 Inter Dominion Championships. The Long Forest horseman has confirmed that he will not be taking a team to New South Wales for the series, which kicks off with opening round heats on November 27 at Tabcorp Park Menangle. Gath had second favourite Majestuoso in the trotters’ division, but is opting to give the horse a little break following next Friday night’s $30,000 Breeders Crown Championship at Tabcorp Park Melton. Fellow squaregaiting stablemates Tornado Valley – an ID winner in 2018 - McLovin and Havehorsewilltravel
were all second-round acceptances for the series, but will not be tried in the time-honoured event this year. Gath also had a strong hand in the pacing division, with Wolf Stride, Pacifico Dream and Tango Tara all possible starters. Some injury issues have been discovered in Wolf Stride and he’s now spelling in New South Wales while Pacifico Dream is being saved for the Vicbred Super Series, which kicks off with heats just a few days after the Inter Dominion Grand Final on December 11. Tango Tara is potentially racing well enough to be tried in the series, but with no stablemates making the trip, he too will stay home.
Majestuoso. Photo Stuart McCormick Phil Williamson-trained New Zealander Majestic Man is current favourite for the trotting division at $4 with the TAB, while Belinda McCarthy’s superstar King of Swing is a firm $2.40 chance to win the pacing decider.