Steeplechase hope at the top of his game
Versatile and dependable performer Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) will head Gail Temperton’s team of three at Thursday’s rescheduled Trentham meeting.
The in-form son of Shocking will front up for the sternest test of his career in the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), while Cocktail Lad runs in the Honouring West Coast Hurdles (2500m) and Name The Game (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) tackles the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Maiden Hurdles (2500m).
Never Look Back has performed with great credit in all three roles with four wins on the flat to his credit and stakes placings in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and Listed Marton Cup (2200m).
He subsequently added three victories over the smaller fences, including success in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m), and most recently triumphed on debut over the big fences in the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m).
“He is in terrific form, he’s great and he’s as good as I can get him. It just depends how good everybody else is,” Temperton said.
“He’s never let me down and right from his first start he’s always done his best.”
Never Look Back was also a month between runs when he won the Manawatu Steeples and has progressed well since.
“He has definitely come on with that run, and I haven’t looked beyond Thursday at this stage,” Temperton said.
“There’s no big plan with jumpers, not for me anyway. It would be nice if we could get to Riccarton, but we won’t be going there if it’s a heavy, heavy track.”
The Foxton-based horsewoman is also pleased with Cocktail Lad (NZ) (Belardo), who was unplaced on the course earlier this month in his first appearance since the spring.
“He went well, hadn’t had a run and had never had a race over fences. He is a cat, he jumps very nimbly and he certainly looks very well,” Temperton said.
“He’s quite a bit fitter than he was last time so I am cautiously optimistic that he can be in the first three.”
Emily Farr will again ride Never Look Back and Cocktail Lad while Brandon Holliday will be aboard Name The Game.
He has finished sixth in his last two steeplechase outings and finished third in a maiden 1200m sprint trial on his home track at Foxton last week.
“He’s going back to hurdle level and he’s a very steady jumper,” Temperton said.
“He is very well and trialled really well, he surprised us how he sprinted and he’s also the best he’s ever been.”
