Never Ending confirmed for $1.25mil Nullarbor

Confirmation boom WA pacer Never Ending (Sweet Lou) will tackle the $1.25mil Group 1 Nullarbor has added another dimension to the April 19 harness racing feature at Gloucester Park.

Slot owner Entain, through its Ladbrokes brand, moved swiftly to find a replacement slot runner when superstar Magnificent Storm was ruled-out of the race with a nasty knee infection.

“They (Ladbrokes) came to us with an offer, covering this year and the 2025 Nullarbor, and we’re thrilled to partner with them,” Never Ending’s managing owner Glen Mortimer said. “It’s clear they want to strongly promote the horse, the race and the industry and that sounds great to us.”

Entain Australia CEO and passionate harness racing fan Dean Shannon said landing Never Ending was a coup.

“He’s so exciting and to do a deal across two years, in the prime of his career, is great,” he said. “We’re proud to be such a big part of all three slot races in WA and having Never Ending to fly out flag this year and again in 2025 is fantastic.”

The deal ends speculation whether four-year-old Never Ending would tackle WA’s richest pacing race or focus mainly on the $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle in September.

“The plan was always to run in the Nullarbor if we were happy with him at the time and he’s come back well, so it’s great to lock in a slot,” trainer Justin Prentice said.

“He had the trial at Pinjarra last week and will have his first run back on Friday (March 22) at Gloucester Park in a $50,000 race for four-year-olds. It looks like a good kick-off point.

“His ability has never been in question, but we hoped we would mature and become a bit more relaxed over time. The signs are good this time in work.”

Beyond Friday, Prentice is hopeful the handicappers will give Never Ending a start in the Bunbury Cup on March 30.

“That would be ideal, then he could go to a $100,000 Westbred 4YO race at Gloucester Park on April 12 as a third lead-up run to the Nullarbor,” Prentice said.

“He’s backed-up week-to-week before at Gloucester Park and thrived on it, so running on the 12th (of April) and the Nullarbor a week after would suit him.”

Never Ending has raced just 14 times for 12 wins, a second a third. He hasn’t raced since getting too keen and being rundown late in the Group 1 WA Derby at Gloucester Park on November 3.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Western Australia