Sweet Lou gelding could rejuvenate harness racing

Boom three-year-old Never Ending (Sweet Lou) has the capability to rejuvenate harness racing and bring big crowds to Gloucester Park, according to rival trainer Ross Olivieri.

The call comes off the back of his latest win in last Friday’s Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for the three-year-old colts and geldings.

It took his record to 10 wins from 11 starts.

Olivieri said Never Ending’s brilliant start to his career was exactly what harness racing needed.

“This horse is the horse that could bring the crowds back to Gloucester Park,” Olivieri told The Trots WA.

“He’s that good.

“He will get the crowd gasping in anticipation, a bit like Mount Eden used to.

“The thrill he gave trotting followers by galloping and then rounding up the field and winning, is the same exhilaration this horse could bring to harness racing.

“He could rejuvenate the public interest in harness racing.

“It’s got me wanting to see his next start and I don’t normally take interest in other horses.”

Olivieri, a multiple Golden Slipper and WA Derby winning trainer himself, said he couldn’t help but be impressed by Never Ending’s Westbred Classic success.

“I watched the replay, then I found myself watching it again and again and again,” he said.

“I have full admiration for the horse.

“I think he’s the best horse in Western Australia, bar none.

“Is he going to win every race he contests?

“Maybe not, but he will win nearly all of them.”

The Justin Prentice-trained pacer worked to the front with one lap to go in Friday’s $100,000 event and ran away from his rivals to score by 10.4m in 1:55.2.

NEVER ENDING REPLAY

It was a win that led driver Gary Hall Jnr to tell Gloucester Park’s Ken Casellas Im Themightyquinn was the only horse he had driven that could do what Never Ending did.

Olivieri said while it was hard to compare Never Ending to champions of bygone eras, he could see him establishing a record to rival them.

“I always thought Nihilator was the best three-year-old I saw,” he said.

“I do think of San Simeon in that category too.

“Then I think of horses like Saab, who won a Golden Slipper, WA Derby, Golden Nugget and WA Pacing Cup as a four-year-old.

“Beaudiene Boaz won the Slipper, Derby and Nugget and a Fremantle Cup at four.

“I think this horse will do the same if he stays sound.

“He doesn’t have the racing manners of San Simeon or Saab, but he’s got the raw ability.”

The son of Sweet Lou took all before him as a two-year-old, winning the Pearl Classic, Westbred Classic and Golden Slipper.

It led to him being crowned the champion Australian two-year-old colt or gelding of the year.

Never Ending’s WA Derby preparation will likely continue in the Battle Of Bunbury (2100m) and Western Gateway on September 27 and October 20 respectively.

The WA Derby (2536m) will be run on November 3.

by Tim Walker for RWWA