We Never Stop Shows A New Side
This season has been very productive from the yard’s 3yo sprinters. Group 1 winner through all the races, the 3yo’s have provided some top performances as well as showing plenty of promise for their futures too. We Never Stop looked like a sprinter full of potential and he got back on track when taking the 6f Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap at Southwell.
The powerful son of Cotai Glory started the year of 85, a mark that seemed to be workable for him. Taking on two of the top 3yo handicaps at the beginning of the season, We Never Stop didn’t disgrace himself and seemed ready to win, with the possibility of going on from there. Dropping to 5f he duly gained his first win of the season and the future looked bright. Unfortunately he didn’t handle the track at Goodwood but there were no excuses for his penultimate start. Running at the Ebor meeting, the 3yo never raced a yard, which was frustrating but required addressing immediately following the race.
Gelding a horse can help with their mental approach as well as their physical well being. Both were thought to be beneficial for We Never Stop but could only be proved when he raced once again. It was a good break between runs, mainly due to the worsening ground conditions, so he would be seen on the all-weather. The 12 runner race was highly competitive with some veterans of the division mixed with some potential. Shane Gray has been the regular parter and was booked once more for the ride.
Blinkers were fitted for the first time, to try and help with concentration. Drawn in stall 11 wasn’t ideal but showing good speed, We Never Stop tanked up to the bend and was pressuring the lead. It’s only a short run and the field were quickly swinging left handed. Showing plenty of enthusiasm We Never Stop was travelling nicely for Shane and had the perfect spot to attack the leader when the time comes.
Straightening up for home, with just over 2f to run, the leader looked to increase the tempo.Quite a few in behind were working to close but Shane was was one of the last to get into his drive. Now the race was hotting up and as the challenges began, there was a line of 5 b battling in front. That was cut by one as the leader weakened and left We Never Stop in front, form under pressure from all angles.
Moving into the final furlong, We Never Stop was headed, looking as though his challenge was done, especially as his rivals looked to be going better. It did look as though he may have to settle for one of the placing at best but Shane continued to work away and We Never Stop was showing a much improved determination. With 100 yards to run he rallied, and began to fight back. From around 3/4 length down he started to reverse the fortunes. Shane was getting a really tune from his mount as the 3yo pulled into a four way fight. A blanket covered the front quartet as they fought tooth and nail for the win. As they flashed past the line it was impossible to see who won. With a winning margin of a nose and dead heat for 3rd, We Never Stop earned the win in thrilling fashion.
Not only was it great to see this win for We Never Stop but the way in which he did it was impressive. Having shown a little bit of laziness in his last race, he completely turned that around here. Enthusiasm and a battling attitude saw the 3yo come out on top. This also came after quite a break so it can be expected that he will improve for the run. He handled the surface so there could be some more options for him during the winter.