The Retravision-Golden Nugget battle between Never Ending and Mister Smartee looks set to take place Friday week, with the former to tackle this Friday’s Free-For-All.
Doubts were growing as to whether Never Ending would be able to take his place in the four-year-old feature due to a delay being able to transport him home after September’s Eureka in Sydney.
Trainer Justin Prentice was relieved when Never Ending returned to his stable last month in just enough time to be ready for the $200,000 event.
A small setback when he arrived back at Prentice’s Boyanup stable again put Never Ending’s presence in the Golden Nugget in question and ruled him out of last week’s $125,000 4YO Classic.
Prentice said he was concerned the son of Sweet Lou wouldn’t have had enough time to make the Nugget.
“We needed the prep to go perfect if he was going to make the four-year-old Classic last week,” Prentice told Racing WA Harness.
“We had a small setback with him, which wasn't too much to worry about.
“He backs up well and I knew this week was always an option that didn’t worry me too much.
“I’d rather have him go into this week and perform better than going into last week and go unders.”
While Never Ending’s place in the Nugget is no longer in question, who drives him in the event is still undecided.
A crucial decision looms for Gary Hall Jnr, who is the regular driver of Never Ending and Mister Smartee.
Prentice said he wouldn’t rush the Hall of Fame drivier into making a decision and indicated he would likely drive Never Ending if Hall Jnr elected to partner Mister Smartee.
“We will see how he goes on Friday and make a decision after that,” he said.
“At this stage, I’m leaning towards driving him myself if Junior doesn’t.
“He’s not the type of horse you where you just want to throw someone on in a Golden Nugget that’s never driven him before.
“I want Junior to drive him, not just because he knows the horse, but he’s a good mate and I think we are a good team together.
“That being said, if Mister Smartee wins and he drives my horse and he underperforms, then I would feel like I’ve let him down.
“It’s a bit of a difficult situation.”
While there’s some big decisions ahead for Prentice, a big challenge awaits Hall Jnr and Never Ending in Friday’s Catalano Truck & Equipment Sales – Your One Stop Shop Pace (2130m).
Under the conditions of the event, Never Ending has drawn the outside barrier in the select field of seven.
Lavra Joe, who showed encouraging signs when he finished sixth in the WA Pacing Cup last month, drew kindly in barrier one.
Diego (barrier two) and Jumpingjackmac (six) also feature in the quality field.
Prentice said he was confident Never Ending would put in a strong showing, but conceded Lavra Joe would be hard to beat.
“I’m happy with him at home and he looks well,” he said.
“Lavra Joe went well in the Pacing Cup, and you’d think he’d be hard to beat.
“His work this morning was really good, and I’ve done as much work as I can give him at home.
“The race on Friday will tighten him and he should improve into next week.”
Friday night’s Gloucester Park meeting gets underway at 5.21.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix