Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Exciting young pacer Never Ending is the least experienced runner in the group 3 $50,000 SEFS Preux Chevalier Four-Year-Old Classic at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he should tick an important box by winning for the first time over 2536m.
The Justin Prentice-trained Never Ending will be having his first start for 20 weeks when he begins from the No. 6 barrier, and he should carry too many guns for his six rivals in what is an important stepping stone leading into the $1,250,000 Nullarbor slot race in four week’s time.
He enjoyed a relaxing pipe opener for Friday night’s classic when Gary Hall Jnr gave him a comfortable trip in a 2185m trial at Pinjarra on Wednesday of last week.
Never Ending was not bustled out from barrier five in the trial in which Diego set the pace with slow opening 400m sections of 31.9sec. and 30.2sec. before the final quarters were run in 27.4sec. and 27sec., with Mister Smartee winning by a head from Diego, rating 1.56.9.
The trial was run in Indian file, with Never Ending in fifth position. He was last on the home turn before running home solidly, without being extended, to finish fifth in the field of six.
Never Ending’s only appearance in a 2536m event was in the WA Derby on November 3 when he settled in fifth position, took the lead 1200m from home and finished second to Skylou, who rated 1.56.3.
Never Ending, who won three group 1 events in the space of seven weeks as a two-year-old, is comparatively inexperienced, having had 14 starts for twelve wins, one second and one third placing for stakes of $441,440.
One of his chief rivals this week will be the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Lusaka, who will be racing first-up for 16 weeks. Lusaka, who has won at eleven of his 19 starts, warmed up for the Preux Chevalier Classic with an easy trial win over 2185m at Pinjarra on March 6. He rated a modest 2.0.8, with final quarters of 28.4sec. and 28.9sec.
Lusaka, to be driven by Deni Roberts, has drawn barrier three and is sure to be prominent.
All is Well, to be handled by Chris Lewis from the No. 2 barrier for trainer Katja Warwick, is an experienced campaigner who has had 37 starts for 12 wins and ten placings. He has won twice from six starts as a four-year-old.
Hotly Pursued, to be driven by Kyle Harper for trainer Murray Lindau, is in excellent form, having won at four of his five starts this season. He possesses very good gate speed and is capable of making a spirited bid for the early lead.