Champion three-year-old scratched from Gateway

Champion harness racing three-year-old Never Ending (Sweet Lou) is out of tomorrow night’s Cowden Insurance-Western Gateway (2536m) at Gloucester Park.

Trainer Justin Prentice said the gelding had some mucus and a slight cough and would take no chances ahead of next month’s WA Derby.

It means Never Ending wouldn’t have raced for more than three weeks by the time the $200,000 feature arrives.

While Prentice will be missing his headline act from the Group 3 event, he still has a strong hand to play with Mikis Beach and Rolling Fire set to round out their Derby preparations.

Mikis Beach finished a game second to Mister Smartee in a thrilling conclusion to last week’s Retravision Pace (2130m).

The Always B Miki gelding will start from barrier five tomorrow night and be driven by Maddison Brown.

Prentice said Mikis Beach came through last Friday’s run, which was his first time under lights at Gloucester Park, in good condition.

“I expected Mikis Beach to get a bit tired earlier than he did the way he pulled,” Prentice told TABradio.

“I thought he went massive.

“He just needs to learn a bit of race craft because he can’t afford to get keen like that in a Derby.

“I’d like to think he continues on this upward path next prep.

“We should have a better racehorse as well.

“The ability is there and he looks fantastic.”

Rolling Fire finished a creditable third behind the pair last week and continued his consistent run of form.

The gelding has built up a respectable record of nine wins from 17 starts to date and looms as a key player heading to the Derby.

He has a tricky task from barrier seven tomorrow night, with Emily Suvaljko retaining the drive.

Prentice said he hoped to see Rolling Fire hitting the line powerfully ahead of the Derby.

“He went super last start,” he said.

“It wasn’t until I watched it back on replay to see how far back he was and how wide he had to come on that last turn.

“He really is going good and he really is a true gentleman.

“Hopefully he’s saving his good barrier draw for the Derby.”

As a result of Never Ending’s scratching, Mister Smartee is now a commanding $1.34 favourite with TABtouch for the Western Gateway.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker for RWWA