Skylou has drawn pole position (1) in the Group 1 WA Derby and will be driven by Maddison Brown. Photo by Hamilton Content Creators
Boom three-year-old Never Ending has drawn to win the Sky Racing WA Derby and it will take something special for his rivals to cause an upset, according to leading trainer Gary Hall Snr.
Hall has three runners in the $200,000 Group 1 classic at Gloucester Park on Friday night but his two main fancies, Mister Smartee (barrier 8) and I’m The Black Flash (barrier 12) drew awkwardly.
Skylou, the most inexperienced of his trio, has drawn one but will face his biggest test in nine starts.
“Before the draw, I thought there were four main chances – Mister Smartee, Never Ending, Luskara and I’m The Black Flash but with the other three drawing wide, Never Ending looks past the post.
“Having said that, you are never really past the post in big races. I have won six or seven WA Pacing cups from barrier nine.
“Mister Smartee is our best horse and Never Ending would have found it hard to beat him, if he had drawn to lead.
“Black Flash is our most experienced and he is a serious horse but will need everything to go right.
“Skylou got here a bit late and has had a bit of a rushed preparation.
“There will be pressure at the start but I think Skylou can lead. Maddison is very good at getting horses away well.
“I think the 2500m journey might worry some but not the favourite. Junior is well aware of Never Ending’s speed and is not likely to turn it into a staying race.”
Mister Smartee has won his last three starts over the 2536m trip, including the Group 3 Western Gateway Pace on October 20,
Hall’s list of WA Derby winners reads like a who’s who of Australasian harness racing and includes Chicago Bull, King Of Swing, Alta Christiano and Beaudiene Boaz. The lightly race Major Trojan was Hall’s fifth Derby winner in 2019.
Alta Christiano was his victory in 2013. All five winners were driven by Gary Hall Jnr, who is aiming for a record seventh Derby success in the cart with Never Ending.
“The Derby was a race we struggled to win for quite a while,” Hall said.
Boyanup trainer Justin Prentice is shooting for a third straight derby win with Never Ending, after taking out the 2021 classic with Mighty Ronaldo and last year with Tricky Miki.
The Sweet Lou gelding missed the Group 3 Western Gateway Pace two weeks ago with a cold but Prentice is happy with his progress.
He ran a sizzling time in a trackwork with a galloping pacemaker at Gloucester Park last Friday night and is ready to take on the 2500m classic, his first run over the distance.
“He seems good after his workout Friday,” Prentice said.
“He didn’t miss any work from his cough so he should be good, fitness wise.
“The 2500m, I think will be good for him.
“I think the whole field could win with the right run but with the draws, I think Skylou and I’m The Black Flash come right into it.
“Obviously, Mister Smartee and Lusaka are very good horses and are big chances even with tricky draws.”
In form driver Deni Roberts has chosen to stick with Luskara from barrier 9 despite having choice to drive either of the other two Greg and Skye Bond trained runners Fess Up (barrier 2) or WA Oaks runner up Turn The Page (barrier 3).
Luskara showed incredible strength against older horses when he faced the breeze and won over 2692m at Pinjarra in May, reeling off his last 800m in 56.8sec.
“Even drawn poorly, I think he is still our best chance,” Roberts said.
“His last start was career best and I think he’s got what it takes.”
Turn The Page is the only filly in the race and has won her last two starts since a courageous second in the WA Oaks.
“She will love the distance and she’s got the engine to follow good speed. She won’t be out of place that’s for sure,” Roberts said.
