Popular Foxton trainer Gail Temperton will take a two pronged attack to the races at Woodville on Sunday with promising hurdler Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) set to contest one of the feature races on the card, the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m).
The six-year-old son of Shocking is in the early stages of his life as a jumper having won four races on the flat plus another over hurdles. A gritty effort for fifth in the Waikato Hurdles (3200m) a month ago has Temperton cautiously optimistic about his chances against a stellar line-up on Sunday.
“He stuck on very well at Te Rapa after having a bit of a life at the very first fence that day so I’m hoping it is a sign he will eventually measure up in this type of field,” Temperton said.
“I’m never nervous about him getting over a fence as he has that ability to do it his way and make it to the other side. We have trained him that way from day one which is a little different to most but it is very effective for him.
“He won’t mind a testing track as he has been in work a long time with only a four week break in late January so fitness won’t be an issue even though he hasn’t run since Te Rapa last month.
“Emily Farr is going to ride him which is just great as we have had a very long association over the years and she tells me she has a picture of when she rode Just Ishi for me back in 2017 on a wall at her home in Wales.
“She is a tough little critter and so is the horse so they are a match made in heaven.”
Temperton admits that six-start maiden Name The Game is a different kettle of fish to Never Look Back despite his granddam being Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Coogee Walk.
The full brother of handy galloper Nom Du Beel will tackle the Cody Singer Memorial (4000m) maiden steeplechase with Temperton hoping an impressive effort at the Cambridge jumping trials last Monday will stand him in good stead.
“Name The Game isn’t much of a flat galloper but from what he has shown us in his only hurdle run and his schooling lately he could make a nice chaser for us,” she said.
“He is brilliantly bred being out of a Zabeel mare who is a daughter of Coogee Walk but unfortunately he hasn’t really inherited that flat ability.
“Stephen Nickalls took him to the jumping trials at Cambridge earlier this week where Hamish McNeil rode him and he said he jumped superbly.
“That is similar feedback to what I’ve had from other riders so I’m hoping he can bring that to raceday.
“I’m thrilled to have Ellie Callwood on him as she is a super rider and a lovely girl who has been on him at several jumps days and knows him well now.
“I’m hoping he puts his best foot forward and if he does he would be a top three prospect.”
It isn’t all good news for the Temperton team however as promising galloper Procul Boy, who has won three of his four starts, badly injured a foot when having a week away from the stable recently and faces a period of rest and recuperation before getting back to the track.
Temperton had entertained thoughts of taking the son of Proisir to Riccarton for racing during the Grand National Carnival in early August but will now have to revisit any future plans for him.