Bunbury cup key plank in Never Ending’s Nullarbor shot

Golden Nugget-winning trainer Justin Prentice has given the strongest indication yet star pacer Never Ending will be aimed at next year’s TABtouch-Nullarbor (2536m), as he prepares to embark on a four-year-old campaign.

Fresh from winning Friday's four-year-old Group 1 event with Tricky Miki, Justin Prentice has quickly turned his attention to winning the second edition of the harness leg of the Western Trilogy.

Prentice said he had the $1.25 million event on the gelding's agenda when he returned from a spell.

"We had a little bit of interest (from slot holders) before the Derby," Prentice told TABradio.

"It's definitely pencilled in.

"We have a slot ourselves and obviously we've got Mighty Ronaldo as well potentially for that slot.

"We will see how he comes up."

Never Ending produced another terrific campaign during spring, winning the Westbred Classic (2130m), Battle Of Bunbury (2100m) and South West Derby (2100m).

His campaign culminated with a gallant second to Skylou in the WA Derby (2536m) last month.

Prentice said he was looking forward to stepping Never Ending up to open company.

"There's a couple of four-year-old races early on, so we will put him into them and potentially a Bunbury Cup like that to see how he measures up in Free-For-All races.

"If we could maybe not drive him like the best horse, I think he'd be competitive."

Prentice said Tricky Miki would also progress to open company now, after he joined the likes of Saab, Salinger and Beaudiene Boaz in completing the Golden Slipper-WA Derby-Golden Nugget treble.


Racing and Sports