Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Michael Young, the State’s leading harness trainer after the first six weeks of the season, lavished praise on Nevermindthechaos after her effortless victory last Friday night and declared: “It was a phenomenal win, and I think she is as good, if not better, than Eighteen Carat.”
That was high praise indeed, considering that Eighteen Carat has had 13 starts for Young for eight wins and three placings, including one win at group 1 level, two in group 2 events and three in group 3 features.
Nevermindthechaos, a West Australian-bred five-year-old, faces a massive challenge at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she begins from the outside of the back line in the group 3 Laurie Kennedy Free-For-All over the sprint trip of 1730m.
Nevermindthechaos, to be driven by Gary Hall Jnr, is in brilliant form, having overcome testing barriers (two from No. 5 and one from No. 8) to win easily at her past three starts, all over 2130m.
Last week Nevermindthechaos settled down in last position in a field of eight before she started a three-wide burst 950m from home and burst to the front 600m later on her way to winning by three lengths from the fast-finishing Nullarbor Navajo, rating 1.56.3, with final quarters of 28.1sec. and 28.2sec.
Nevermindthechaos raced in the breeze at her two previous starts before winning easily, with rates of 1.55.4 and 1.55.7. She gave a sample of her ability over 1730m when she raced without cover in a heat of the Gold Bullion ten months ago and beat Bettors Destroya and American Arma, at a 1.534 rate.
Collectively, in Friday night’s race it is probably the most talented line-up of mares that Nevermindthechaos has met. It will certainly test the great skill of Hall.
Among the most serious of rivals for Nevermindthechaos are Bettor Get It On, Nullarbor Navajo, Star Of Diamonds, Vivere Damore and The Amber Hare.
Shannon Suvaljko is likely to attempt to take advantage of the No. 1 barrier by setting the pace with the renowned frontrunner Vivere Damore.
The Justin Prentice-trained Bettor Get It On will have many admirers. She will be driven by Emily Suvaljko from the No. 3 barrier at her first appearance since she had a tough run in the breeze and finished a close third behind Eighteen Carat in the group 2 Christmas Belles seven weeks ago. That followed excellent victories at her two previous outings earlier in December.
Nullarbor Navajo, trained and driven by Corey Peterson, has been most impressive at her first two starts after a nine-month absence, unwinding sparkling late bursts for seconds to Beyond The Sea and Nevermindthechaos. She is awkwardly drawn at barrier five.
The Barry Howlett-trained Star Of Diamonds is also in splendid form, with her past three outings producing a win over Cherishthememories, a second to Nevermindthechaos and a third to Nevermindthechaos (after running on from last at the bell). Star Of Diamonds will be driven by Kyle Symington from out wide at barrier eight.
The Amber Hare, a winner at ten of her 23 starts, is nicely drawn at No. 2 on the back line for trainer-driver Jocelyn Young and is certainly a knockout chance.