Trainer Justin Prentice admits he wasn’t surprised Never Ending’s regular driver Gary Hall Jnr decided to drive Mister Smartee in Friday’s Retravision-Golden Nugget, despite his stable star having the draw advantage.
Never Ending and Mister Smartee drew barrier one and two respectively for the $200,000 event at Gloucester Park, where Hall Jnr had the choice of drives.
Prentice said he was fully prepared for Hall Jnr to choose the way he did.
“When Mister Smartee drew barrier two at the start, I knew barrier one was our only hope,” Prentice told Racing WA Harness.
“It worked out well in that sense.
“I expected Jnr to drive Mister Smartee.
“Hopefully in time he can get back on Never Ending and the two horses will stay separated.”
As Prentice forecast last week, he will drive Never Ending in the Golden Nugget, a race he won last year with Tricky Miki.
Only Hall Jnr and Prentice have driven Never Ending across his 24 starts to date.
Prentice said Hall Jnr’s decision wouldn’t give him any additional motivation to win the event.
“I understand and know what Jnr thinks of my bloke,” he said.
“I’m super competitive and want to win no matter what.
“That’s all you think about when you’re out there.”
Never Ending rounded out his preparation for the Golden Nugget with a third placing to Jumpingjackmac in last week’s Free-For-All at Gloucester Park.
Prentice indicated he was happy with the performance, despite Hall Jnr suggesting he didn’t steer as well as he would have liked.
Prentice said he hoped Never Ending would capitalist on the draw.
“My bloke has natural speed,” he said.
“If we can come out and hold up, I’ll try to rate our race from there.
“It’s been a while since my bloke was out in front.
“He used to get keen out in front, but he’s not like that anymore.”
While Mister Smartee and Never Ending are the fancied runners with TABtouch at $2 and $2.25 respectively, Prentice said it was far from a match race.
“Hopefully they are both at their best on the night,” he said.
“It’s one of those races that if we only worry about each other there’s enough good horses that will beat us both if they get the right run.
“Ok Boomer will be dangerous from his draw and Aiden’s horse has gone well driven cold before.”
Prentice also has talented pacer Rolling Fire engaged in the Golden Nugget from barrier six.
The Boyanup-based trainer indicated he had Rolling Fire where he hoped he would be going into the Group 1.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix