Never Look Back has come a long way in a short time and he will bid for further black type staying honours at Hastings.
The lightly raced son of Shocking will take aim at the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) on Saturday with Leah Hemi, who is unbeaten in two previous rides on the gelding, booked for the mount.
Never Look Back has won three of his nine appearances for Foxton co-breeder, part-owner and trainer Gail Temperton, including consecutive Rating 75 contests before he acquitted himself well last time out when third in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m).
“I am rather thrilled with him and he’s come along quite quickly for a staying horse,” Temperton said.
“This is a big ask for him on Saturday and I’ve pushed him along, which is not like me. Usually, I am very conservative and then I live to regret it.”
Never Look Back is a half-brother to Tamahine, who was successful on five occasions for Temperton and finished runner-up in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
“I sold her as a broodmare several months ago and then her mother (Pirinitete) died, but I do have a filly by Vadamos out of her so getting black type would be great as I will still be breeding from the family,” she said.
Johar mare Pirinitete was a half-sister to the stakes winners Lady Annaliese and Hinemoa, whose daughter Hinerangi was successful in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m), and also the family of the Group 2 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Graphic.
Never Look Back may also be given the opportunity to double the family’s roll of honour in the Trentham feature.
“I paid a late nomination for the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m), I was confident enough to do that, and I think he’s eligible for the Remutaka Classic ($350,000, 2100m) the same day,” Temperton said.
“We will just see what he does on Saturday, it could be that he’s had enough and if he tells us that then we’ll pull the plug and give him a spell.”
However, Temperton hasn’t seen any signs at home that Never Look Back is in need of a break.
“He has galloped twice this week and both times he has been very impressive so he’s not looking like he’s had enough at the moment, but race day is what tells,” she said.
“While he is racing like he is, we’ll have a crack on Saturday and distance-wise it’s not too far away. It would be better if it was at Awapuni but never mind, we just have to get on with it.”
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